He loves sport, champions and regrets that jockeys are not considered top athletes.
Him ?
It's Christophe Soumillon!
The day after his forty-first birthday, the husband of an elated Sophie Thalmann, surrounded by their three children, won the Prix du Jockey Club (Gr. I), an event crowning the best 3-year-old colt, with
Vadeni
.
“I really want to see Rafael Nadal's third set, says the hero of the day straight away, a sign of his passion for high-level sport.
My victory shows how much you have to be loyal to these great institutions and know how to be patient.
I am truly delighted for His Highness Aga Khan's gown.
Farms of such quality can go through less glorious periods but it always ends up coming back.
»
🎙️ "He does something out of the ordinary."
16 years after his last title in the #Qatar Prix du #JockeyClub, already for @AgaKhanStuds, @CSoumillon is back to winning ways in this legendary group 1.
His reaction ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/DoDdhmPMCP
— Equidia (@equidia) June 5, 2022
During a race led by the favorite,
Modern Games
, coming from England, finally courageous third,
Vadeni
and Christophe Soumillon made short work of their opponents.
"This victory gives Her Highness and the Princess enormous pleasure, in the year in which we celebrate the 100th anniversary of breeding", declared Georges Rimaud, director of the princely stable, while Éric Woerth, former mayor of the town, was pleased with this victory, Prince Karim Aga Khan having been a kind of patron for the restoration of the Château de Chantilly, which adjoins the racecourse where
Vadeni
and Christophe Soumillon, author of a hat-trick, displayed their talent.
The Belgian jockey will therefore have finished his day without having the "seum" but with a big smile.
That of duty accomplished as he has done for more than twenty years since he won the first of his four Prix du Jockey Club in 2001.
Before the start of the races, yesterday in Chantilly (Oise), representatives of the Races and Games Department carried out a check at the entrance to the stables.
Trunks and bags of persons accompanying the horses were inspected.
"These checks are part of our prerogatives," said the person delegated to this mission.
So much the better for us and for the professionals, no violation has been noted.
»
Other highlights of the day
The true face of Mare Australis
Winner of the Prix Ganay (Gr. I) last year,
Mare Australis
won the Grand Prix de Chantilly from start to finish, yesterday at the Princes de Condé racecourse.
"After a year's absence and two back-to-school races, this resident of André Fabre has regained his best level," said his jockey, Olivier Peslier.
He is two lengths ahead of
Bubble Gift
.
The podium of this Group II is completed by
Glycon
.
🏆 Mare Australis (O. Peslier) returns to success in the Grand Prix de Chantilly (Gr.2)!
André Fabre's protege wins from start to finish ahead of Bubble Gift and Glycon.
pic.twitter.com/Ep8twWGDT8
— Equidia (@equidia) June 5, 2022
Purplepay wins with ease
She had revealed resources last year by finishing third in the Critérium International (Gr. I).
Yesterday at the Chantilly racecourse,
Purplepay
confirmed its high quality by winning the Prix de Sandringham (Gr. II) under the hand of Tom Marquand.
William Haggas' boarder is more than two lengths ahead of
Life In Motion , which precedes
Sicilian Defense
by a neckline
.
🏆 Placed in the last Critérium International (Gr.1) and sixth in the Irish 1000 Guineas, Purplepay (@TomMarquand - @WilliamHaggas) won the Prix de Sandringham (Gr.2) at Chantilly.
pic.twitter.com/pxNB1XSWwj
— Equidia (@equidia) June 5, 2022
Brostaigh ahead of Air de Valse
Event highly coveted by sprinters, the Prix du Gros-Chêne Prize returned yesterday to Chantilly,
Brostaigh
.
Ridden by Dylan McMonagle, this 3-year-old filly confirms her rise after winning last month in Ireland over the same distance of 1,000m.
In this Group II contested on a straight course, she edged with authority
Air de Valse
, presented by Corine Barande Barbe.
🏆 Brostaigh (JP O'Brien) wins the Prix du Gros-Chêne (Gr.2) at Chantilly.
Dylan Browne McMonagle, her jockey, won for her first ride in France!
Air de Valse and White Lavender complete the arrival.
pic.twitter.com/zK4YW4WDex
— Equidia (@equidia) June 5, 2022
