Tag Archive for: Christophe Soumillon

Soumillon returns to winner’s enclosure at Chantilly

/in /by

Christophe Soumillon was successful on his first ride back in France since the end of his 60-day suspension for elbowing Rossa Ryan off his mount in September.

Riding Black Milord Tavel for trainer Eric Lecoiffier in the Prix de la Mare Madame over two miles at Chantilly on Saturday, the Belgian wasted no time in opening his account.

Unsuccessful in South Africa last weekend and on one ride in Meydan on Friday, Soumillon jetted back to his adopted homeland and struck at the first attempt.

The jockey missed lucrative spells in Hong Kong and Japan, as well as Ascot’s Champions Day and the Breeders’ Cup and had his retainer with leading owner the Aga Khan terminated as a result of the controversial incident at Saint-Cloud.

Having linked up with agent Herve Naggar, he will be hoping for a fresh start.

Soumillon out of luck on return to the saddle in South Africa

/in /by

Christophe Soumillon came away winless as he made his race-riding comeback in South Africa.

The Belgian jockey was the retained rider for the Aga Khan until an incident occurred at Saint-Cloud in September involving Rossa Ryan.

Soumillon appeared to elbow Ryan out of the saddle during a race, causing him to fall, and subsequently served a 60-day suspension which led to him being released from his contract with the Aga Khan.

After missing stints in Hong Kong and Japan and international meetings such as Champions Day at Ascot and the Breeders’ Cup, the 10-time French champion headed to South Africa to bounce back.

His first chance on Saturday’s Kenilworth meeting came via Peter Muscutt’s Isivunguvungu in the Franschhoek Motor Museum Winchester Sprint Cup, a five-furlong race that had attracted 15 contenders.

Placed in the middle of the group travelling on the outer rail, Soumillon mounted a late challenge aboard the fast-finishing gelding to sweep past all but one of his rivals ahead of the post.

Mr Cobbs, trained by Candice Bass-Robinson, was narrowly ahead at line, leaving Soumillon to miss out by a short head on his first ride since returning to the saddle.

The following Grade Two Cartier Sceptre Stakes did not wield a dissimilar result for the jockey, who again closed in on his rivals in the final strides of the race but had to settle for minor honours aboard Mike de Kock’s third-placed Desert Miracle.

The feature contest of the meeting was the Grade One L’Ormarins King’s Plate, a race in which Soumillon partnered Golden Ducat and came home seventh – after which he was unplaced again aboard Winter Air in the Glorious Goodwood Mr 74 Handicap.