Christophe Soumillon

{{short description|Belgian Thoroughbred horse racing jockey|bot=PearBOT 5}}

{{Infobox horseracing personality

|image= Christophe Soumillon 20250323.jpg

|name = Christophe Soumillon

|caption = Soumillon in 2025

|occupation = Jockey

|career wins = ongoing

|race = French Classic Race wins:
Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud (2001)
Prix du Jockey Club (2001, 2003, 2006)
Grand Prix de Paris (2002, 2006, 2008)
Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (2003, 2008)
Prix de Diane (2004, 2008)
Poule d'Essai des Pouliches (2003, 2007, 2008, 2012, 2015)
Poule d'Essai des Poulains (2001, 2003, 2009)
Prix Royal-Oak (2015, 2016)

International race wins:

Dubai Duty Free Stakes (2002)
UAE Derby (2010, 2015, 2017)
Dubai Gold Cup (2016, 2017, 2018)
Pretty Polly Stakes (Ireland) (2003)
Racing Post Trophy (2003)
Breeders' Cup Turf (2005)
Hong Kong Gold Cup (2005)
Irish Oaks (2005)
Queen Anne Stakes (2005)
Middle Park Stakes (2021)
Prix Maurice de Gheest 2003, 2005)
Prix Morny (2006, 2021)
Prix de l'Opéra (2001, 2006, 2013, 2020)
Prix Vermeille (2002, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2020)
Prix Jacques Le Marois (2004, 2010, 2012)
Grande Course de Haies d'Auteuil (2010)
Stewards' Cup (2005, 2009, 2016)
Chairman's Sprint Prize (2006)
Coronation Cup (2006, 2014)
Gran Premio di Milano (2006)
Hong Kong Derby (2006)
Hong Kong Gold Cup (2005)
K. George VI & Q. Elizabeth Stakes (2006, 2024)
Oaks d'Italia (2006)
Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup (2006)
Hong Kong Mile (2008, 2019)
Tenno Sho (Autumn) (2010)
Champion Stakes (2011, 2016)
Jebel Hatta (2014, 2019)
Deutsches Derby (2014)
Japan Cup (2014)
Dubai Sheema Classic (2015)
Dubai Turf (2002)
Irish Champion Stakes (2016)
Dubai World Cup (2018, 2019)
Queen Elizabeth II Commemorative Cup (2019)
Coronation Stakes (2015)
Al Quoz Sprint (2013)

|awards = French flat racing Champion Jockey (2003, 2005, 2006, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018)

|honours =

|horses = Dalakhani, Rail Link, Mandesha,
Shirocco, Viva Pataca, Hurricane Run, Overdose, Good Ba Ba, Zarkava

|updated = 9 May 2007

}}

Christophe Soumillon (born 4 June 1981) is a Belgian jockey based in France.

Career

Coming from a racing background, Soumillon is the son of jump jockey Jean-Marc Soumillon.{{cite web|url=https://www.lejdd.fr/Sport/Christophe-Soumillon-Au-nom-du-pere-224405-3253016|title=Christophe Soumillon: Au nom du père|work=Le Journal de Dimanche|date=3 October 2010}} He rode in pony races and left Belgium aged fifteen to go to the racing school in Chantilly, France, where he was then apprenticed to trainer Cédric Boutin.{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/horse-racing/a-boy-named-soumillon-26232770.html|title=A boy named Soumillon|date=29 June 2003|work=Irish Independent}}

Soumillon rode his first Group race winner aged eighteen when Berine's Son, trained by André Fabre, won the 2000 Prix de Fontainebleau. The following season he won four Group 1 races, including the Prix du Jockey Club on Anabaa.{{cite web|url=https://www.racingpost.com/profile/jockey/75796/christophe-soumillon/stats |title=Christophe Soumillon|work=Racing Post|access-date=19 July 2022}}

Soumillon won the cravache d'or (the golden whip or French champion jockey title) for the first time in 2003 and won his tenth title in 2018.{{cite web|url=https://www.racingpost.com/news/christophe-soumillon-wins-unimaginable-tenth-jockeys-title-as-boudot-concedes/358124|title=Christophe Soumillon wins 'unimaginable' tenth jockeys' title as Boudot concedes|work=Racing Post|date=20 December 2018}}

Although primarily known as a flat jockey, Soumillon has also ridden over hurdles, winning the 2010 Grande Course de Haies d'Auteuil (French Champion Hurdle) on Mandali.{{cite web|url=https://www.lefigaro.fr/sports/paris-hippiques/hippisme/actualite/grande-course-de-haies-d-auteuil-la-chevauchee-fantastique-de-christophe-soumillon-390962 |title=Grande Course de Haies d'Auteuil : la chevauchée fantastique de Christophe Soumillon|work=Le Figaro|date=19 June 2010}}

=2022 riding suspension=

On 30 September 2022 Soumillon was given a 60 day ban for elbowing Rossa Ryan off his horse during the Prix Thomas Bryon at Saint-Cloud. The ban was set to start on 14 October, allowing him to ride in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe on 2 October.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/horse-racing/63091527|title=Christophe Soumillon given 60-day ban for elbowing rival Rossa Ryan off horse|publisher=BBC Sport|date=30 September 2022}} On 4 October the racing operation owned by the Aga Khan, citing the elbowing incident, immediately terminated Soumillon's contract as their retainer jockey in France. Soumillon, who will still be permitted to ride the Aga Khan's horses on occasion, later told the Racing Post that he had bridges to rebuild and was determined to show commitment to those that wished to engage his services.{{cite web |url=https://www.racingpost.com/news/christophe-soumillon-loses-job-with-aga-khan-after-saint-cloud-incident/582219 |title=Christophe Soumillon loses Aga Khan job but may continue to ride owner's horses |last=Burton|first=Scott|date=4 October 2022|publisher=Racing Post|access-date=4 October 2022}}

In November 2022 it was revealed that the Gaming unit of the Central Directorate of the Judicial Police, which oversees racing and gambling in France, had requested that Soumillon's suspension be extended to six months, or that his license be withdrawn indefinitely. In their request, the police said that Soumillon's behavior was "voluntary and dangerous," and "a serious risk to the public order within horse racing." Soumillon has been given time to respond, after which the French Ministry of the Interior will make a decision on the Directorate's request.{{cite web |url=https://www.racingpost.com/news/international/christophe-soumillons-two-month-ban-could-be-extended-after-police-intervention/588233|title=Christophe Soumillon's two-month ban could be extended after police intervention|last=Burton|first=Scott |date=13 November 2022|publisher=Racing Post|access-date=14 November 2022}}{{cite web |url=https://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com/french-gaming-police-ask-for-soumillons-licence-to-be-withdrawn-indefinitely-or-that-his-ban-be-lengthened/|title=French Gaming Police Ask For Soumillon's Licence To Be Withdrawn "Indefinitely" Or That His Ban Be Lengthened|date=12 November 2022|website=thoroughbreddailynews.com|access-date=14 November 2022}}

Personal life

Soumillon married TV presenter and former beauty queen Sophie Thalmann on 22 July 2006. The couple have three children, daughter Charlie (born September 2005), son Mika (born November 2008) and son Robin (born April 2017).{{Cite web |url=https://www.voici.fr/bios-people/christophe-soumillon |title=Sophie Thalmann enceinte : Christophe Soumillon |website=Voici |language=fr |accessdate=15 July 2022}}

Major wins

{{flagicon|France}} France

Critérium International - (4) - Dalakhani (2002), Carlotamix (2005), Thunder Snow (2016), Royal Meeting (2018)
Critérium de Saint-Cloud - (3) - Linda's Lad (2005), Prince Gibraltar (2013), Los Angeles (2023)
Grande Course de Haies d'Auteuil - (1) - Mandali (2010)
Grand Prix de Paris - (4) - Khalkevi (2002), Rail Link (2006), Montmartre (2008), Shakeel (2017)
Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud - (2) - Mirio (2001), Zarak (2017)
Poule d'Essai des Poulains - (3) - Vahorimix (2001), Clodovil (2003), Silver Frost (2009)
Poule d'Essai des Pouliches - (5) - Musical Chimes (2003), Darjina (2007), Zarkava (2008), Beauty Parlour (2012), Ervedya (2015)
Prix Cambacérès - (1) - Hippomene (2013)
Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe - (2) - Dalakhani (2003), Zarkava (2008)
Prix d'Astarté - (2) - Turtle Bow (2002), Mandesha (2006)
Prix du Cadran - (3) - Reefscape (2005), Bannaby (2008), Vazirabad (2017)
Prix de Diane - (2) - Latice (2004), Zarkava (2008)
Prix de la Forêt - (1) - Paco Boy (2008)
Prix de Royallieu - (1) - Grateful (2024)
Prix Ganay - (5) - Dylan Thomas (2007), Planteur (2011), Cirrus des Aigles (2014, 2015), Dariyan (2016)
Prix d'Ispahan - (2) - Valixir (2005), Cirrus des Aigles (2014)
Prix Jacques Le Marois - (3) - Whipper (2004), Makfi (2010), Excelebration (2012)
Prix Jean Prat - (1) - Thunder Snow (2017)
Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère - (1) - Camille Pissarro (2024)
Prix Jean Romanet - (1) - Stacelita (2010)
Prix du Jockey Club - (4) - Anabaa Blue (2001), Dalakhani (2003), Darsi (2006), Vadeni (2022)
Prix Lupin - (1) - Dalakhani (2003)
Prix Marcel Boussac - (2) - Zarkava (2007), Rosanara (2009)
Prix Maurice de Gheest - (2) - Porlezza (2003), Whipper (2005)
Prix Morny - (2) - Dutch Art (2006), Perfect Power (2021)
Prix du Moulin de Longchamp - (2) - Darjina (2007), Ervedya (2015)
Prix de l'Opéra - (4) - Terre à Terre (2001), Mandesha (2006), Dalkala (2013), Tarnawa (2020)
Prix Royal-Oak - (2) - Vazirabad (2015, 2016)
Prix Saint-Alary - (4) - Vadawina (2005), Vazira (2014), Incarville (2021), Jannah Rose (2023)
Prix Vermeille - (5) - Pearly Shells (2002), Shawanda (2005), Mandesha (2006), Zarkava (2008), Tarnawa (2020)

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{{flagicon|Canada}} Canada

Canadian International - (1) - Sarah Lynx (2011)
E.P. Taylor Stakes - (1) Reggane (2010)

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{{flagicon|Germany}} Germany

Deutsches Derby - (1) - Sea The Moon (2014)
Grosser Preis von Baden - (1) - Zagrey (2023)

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{{flagicon|United Kingdom}} Great Britain

Champion Stakes - (1) - Cirrus des Aigles (2011),[https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2011/oct/21/christophe-soumillon-prize-money-restored Christophe Soumillon recovers £52,000 prize money as whip rules change] Almanzor (2016)
Commonwealth Cup - (1) - Perfect Power (2022)
Coronation Cup - (2) - Shirocco (2006), Cirrus de Aigles (2014)
Coronation Stakes - (1) - Ervedya (2015)
Eclipse Stakes - (1) - Vadeni (2022)
Falmouth Stakes - (1) - Giofra (2012)
King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes - (2) - Hurricane Run (2006), Goliath (2024)
Queen Anne Stakes - (1) - Valixir (2005)
Racing Post Trophy - (1) - American Post (2003)
Sun Chariot Stakes - (1) - Sahpresa (2010)
Middle Park Stakes - (1) - Perfect Power (2021)

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{{flagicon|Hong Kong}} Hong Kong

Chairman's Sprint Prize - (2) - Billet Express (2006), Gold Fun (2015)
Hong Kong Classic Mile - (2) - Thumbs Up (2009), Beauty Flash (2010)
Hong Kong Derby - (1) - Viva Pataca (2006)
Hong Kong Gold Cup - (1) - Perfect Partner (2005)
Hong Kong Mile - (2) - Good Ba Ba (2008), Admire Mars (2019)
Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup - (1) - Joyful Winner (2006)
Stewards' Cup - (3) - Bullish Luck (2005), Good Ba Ba (2009), Giant Treasure (2016)