There is no shortage of nerve.
On track, at least, to take options that no one would have thought of.
Friday, after his victory in the Commonwealth Cup (Gr. I) with Perfect Power, "an exceptional, manageable and very professional horse", Christophe Soumillon showed another facet of this nerve by making Prince William and his wife, Kate, laugh. Middleton, who presented him with the trophy dedicated to the winners.
By tiptoeing to put themselves at their height, he took the princely couple out of their usual British phlegm.
Good humor could legitimately be in order for the most French of Belgian jockeys, as a victory at this legendary meeting of Royal Ascot (England) is not given to everyone.
"These are exceptional emotions", summarizes the winner of the last Prix du Jockey Club at the microphone of Equidia.
Before confiding in the long exchange with Prince William on the podium: “He has been passionate since childhood, and he cares about animal welfare, so he asked me how I had found the track.
I replied that the conditions were excellent with the ground in excellent condition after four days of racing.
They are people with an exceptional state of mind, and meeting them after a victory is really a pleasure.
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🙌 A huge congratulations to Christophe Soumillon who won the Commonwealth Cup with Perfect Power and was rewarded by Prince William and his wife, Kate Middleton!
#RoyalAscot 🇬🇧
📸 @briensphoto pic.twitter.com/ClMifSTQk0
— ParisTurf (@Paris_Turf) June 17, 2022
The other French competitors were not at the party, like Mangoustine who participated in the Coronation Stakes, a Group I reserved for 3-year-old females.
Despite a favorable course, Tony Parker's filly could not compete with the English.
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