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

Career

Coming from a

racing In sport, racing is a competition of speed, in which competitors try to complete a given task in the shortest amount of time. Typically this involves traversing some distance, but it can be any other task involving speed to reach a specific go ...

background, Soumillon is the son of jump jockey Jean-Marc Soumillon. He rode in pony races and left Belgium aged fifteen to go to the racing school in Chantilly,

France France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans. Its metropolitan ar ...

, where he was then apprenticed to trainer Cédric Boutin. Soumillon rode his first

Group race Group races, also known as Pattern races, or Graded races in some jurisdictions, are the highest level of races in Thoroughbred horse racing. They include most of the world's iconic races, such as, in Europe, the Derby, Irish Derby and Prix de ...

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 The Prix du Jockey Club, sometimes referred to as the French Derby, is a Group 1 flat horse race in France open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It is run at Chantilly ov ...

on Anabaa. 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. Although primarily known as a flat jockey, Soumillon has also ridden over

hurdles Hurdling is the act of jumping over an obstacle at a high speed or in a sprint. In the early 19th century, hurdlers ran at and jumped over each hurdle (sometimes known as 'burgles'), landing on both feet and checking their forward motion. Today, ...

, winning the 2010

Grande Course de Haies d'Auteuil The Grande Course de Haies d'Auteuil, sometimes referred to as the French Champion Hurdle, is a Group 1 hurdle race in France which is open to horses aged five years or older. It is run at Auteuil over a distance of ...

(French Champion Hurdle) on Mandali.

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 The Prix Thomas Bryon is a Group 3 flat horse race in France open to two-year-old thoroughbreds. It is run at Saint-Cloud over a distance of 1,400 metres (about 7 furlongs), and it is scheduled to take ...

Saint-Cloud Saint-Cloud () is a commune in the western suburbs of Paris, France, from the centre of Paris. Like other communes of Hauts-de-Seine such as Marnes-la-Coquette, Neuilly-sur-Seine and Vaucresson, Saint-Cloud is one of France's wealthiest to ...

. The ban was set to start on 14 October, allowing him to ride in the

Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe The Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe is a Group races, Group 1 Flat racing, flat Horse racing, horse race in France open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Longchamp Racec ...

on 2 October. 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 ''Racing Post'' is a British daily horse racing, greyhound racing and sports betting publisher which is published in print and digital formats. It is printed in tabloid format from Monday to Sunday. , it has an average daily circulation of ...

'' that he had bridges to rebuild and was determined to show commitment to those that wished to engage his services. 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.

Personal life

Soumillon married TV presenter and former

beauty queen A beauty pageant is a competition that has traditionally focused on judging and ranking the physical attributes of the contestants. Pageants have now evolved to include inner beauty, with criteria covering judging of personality, intelligence, ...

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).

Major wins

Critérium International The Critérium International was a two-day bicycle stage race held in France every spring from 1932 until 2016, typically the last weekend of March. It was formerly known as the Critérium National de la Route, first run in 1932. For many years ...

- (4) - '' Dalakhani (2002), Carlotamix (2005),

Thunder Snow Thunder Snow (foaled 24 March 2014) is an Irish-bred Thoroughbred racehorse, the only two-time winner of the Dubai World Cup (2018, 2019). In 2016 he won a minor race on his track debut but was then beaten in his next four races although he ran ...

(2016), Royal Meeting (2018)'' * Critérium de Saint-Cloud - (2) - ''Linda's Lad (2005), Prince Gibraltar (2013)'' *

- (1) - ''Mandali (2010)'' *

Grand Prix de Paris The Grand Prix de Paris is a Group 1 flat horse race in France open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It is run at Longchamp over a distance of 2,400 metres (about 1½ miles), and ...

- (4) - ''Khalkevi (2002),

Rail Link Genesee & Wyoming Inc. (G&W) is an American short line railroad holding company, that owns or maintains an interest in 122 railroads in the United States, Canada, Belgium, Netherlands, Poland, United Kingdom and formerly Australia. It operate ...

(2006), Montmartre (2008), Shakeel (2017)'' *

Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud The Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud is a Group 1 flat horse race in France open to thoroughbreds aged four years or older. It is run at Saint-Cloud over a distance of 2,400 metres (about 1½ miles), and it i ...

- (2) - ''Mirio (2001), Zarak (2017)'' *

Poule d'Essai des Poulains Molof (Ampas, Poule, Powle-Ma) is a poorly documented Papuan language spoken by about 200 people in Molof village, Senggi District, Keerom Regency. Classification Wurm (1975) placed it as an independent branch of Trans–New Guinea, but Ros ...

- (3) - ''Vahorimix (2001), Clodovil (2003), Silver Frost (2009)'' *

Poule d'Essai des Pouliches The Poule d'Essai des Pouliches is a Group 1 flat horse race in France open to three-year-old thoroughbred fillies. It is run over a distance of 1,600 metres (about 1 mile) at ...

- (5) - ''Musical Chimes (2003), Darjina (2007), Zarkava (2008), Beauty Parlour (2012), Ervedya (2015)'' *

Prix Cambacérès The Prix Cambacérès is a Group 1 hurdle race in France which is open to three-year-old horses. It is run at Auteuil over a distance of 3,600 metres (about 2 miles and 2 furlongs), and it is scheduled to take place ...

- (1) - ''Hippomene (2013)'' *

- (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 The Prix de Diane, sometimes referred to as the French Oaks, is a Group 1 flat horse race in France open to three-year-old thoroughbred fillies. It is run at Chantilly over a distance of 2,100 met ...

- (2) - ''Latice (2004), Zarkava (2008)'' *

Prix de la Forêt The Prix de la Forêt is a Group 1 flat horse race in France open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Longchamp over a distance of 1,400 metres (about 7 furlongs), and it ...

- (1) - ''Paco Boy (2008)'' *

Prix Ganay The Prix Ganay is a Group 1 flat horse race in France open to thoroughbreds aged four years or older. It is run over a distance of 2,100 metres (about 1 mile and 2½ furlongs) at Long ...

- (5) - ''

Dylan Thomas Dylan Marlais Thomas (27 October 1914 – 9 November 1953) was a Welsh poet and writer whose works include the poems " Do not go gentle into that good night" and " And death shall have no dominion", as well as the "play for voices" ''Unde ...

(2007), Planteur (2011), Cirrus des Aigles (2014, 2015), Dariyan (2016)'' *

Prix d'Ispahan The Prix d'Ispahan is a Group 1 flat horse race in France open to thoroughbreds aged four years or older. It is run at Longchamp over a distance of 1,850 metres (about 1 mile and 1¼ furlongs), and i ...

- (2) - ''Valixir (2005), Cirrus des Aigles (2014)'' *

Prix Jacques Le Marois The Prix Jacques Le Marois is a Group 1 flat horse race in France open to thoroughbred colts and fillies aged three years or older. It is run at Deauville over a distance of 1,600 metres (about 1 mil ...

- (3) - ''Whipper (2004), Makfi (2010), Excelebration (2012)'' * Prix Jean Prat - (1) - ''Thunder Snow (2017)'' *

Prix Jean Romanet The Prix Jean Romanet is a Group 1 flat horse race in France open to thoroughbred fillies and mares aged four years or older. It is run over a distance of 2,000 metres (about 1¼ miles) at Deauville in Aug ...

- (1) - ''Stacelita (2010)'' *

- (4) - ''Anabaa Blue (2001), Dalakhani (2003), Darsi (2006), Vadeni (2022)'' *

Prix Lupin The Prix Lupin was a Group 1 flat horse race in France open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It was run at Longchamp over a distance of 2,100 metres (about 1 mile and 2½ furlongs), and it was scheduled to take place each year in ...

- (1) - ''Dalakhani (2003)'' * Prix Marcel Boussac - (2) - ''Zarkava (2007), Rosanara (2009)'' *

Prix Maurice de Gheest The Prix Maurice de Gheest is a Group 1 flat horse race in France open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Deauville over a distance of 1,300 metres (about 6½ furlongs), and it is sch ...

- (2) - ''Porlezza (2003), Whipper (2005)'' *

Prix Morny The Prix Morny is a Group 1 flat horse race in France open to two-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It is run at Deauville over a distance of 1,200 metres (about 6 furlongs), and it is scheduled ...

- (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 The Prix Saint-Alary is a Group 1 flat horse race in France open to three-year-old thoroughbred fillies. It is run at Longchamp over a distance of 2,000 metres (about 1 miles), and it is scheduled to ...

- (3) - ''Vadawina (2005), Vazira (2014), Incarville (2021)'' * Prix Vermeille - (5) - ''Pearly Shells (2002), Shawanda (2005)'', ''Mandesha (2006), Zarkava (2008), Tarnawa (2020)'' ----

Canada Canada is a country in North America. Its ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean, covering over , making it the world's second-largest country by tota ...

* Canadian International - (1) - ''Sarah Lynx (2011)'' *

E.P. Taylor Stakes The E. P. Taylor Stakes is a Thoroughbred horse race for fillies and mares held annually since 1956 in October at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is run on the E. P. Taylor turf course at a distance of miles. Originally run as ...

- (1) ''Reggane (2010)'' ----

Germany Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG),, is a country in Central Europe. It is the most populous member state of the European Union. Germany lies between the Baltic and North Sea to the north and the Alps to the sou ...

* Deutsches Derby - (1) - ''

Sea The Moon Sea The Moon (foaled 27 January 2011) is a retired German Thoroughbred racehorse who won the 2014 Deutsches Derby. He was trained by Markus Klug, and bred and owned by Gestut Görlsdorf. Background Sea The Moon is a bay colt bred by Gestüt G ...

(2014)'' ----

Great Britain Great Britain is an island in the North Atlantic Ocean off the northwest coast of continental Europe. With an area of , it is the largest of the British Isles, the largest European island and the ninth-largest island in the world. It is ...

Champion Stakes The Champion Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Ascot over a distance of 1 mile and 2 furlon ...

- (1) - ''Cirrus des Aigles (2011),Christophe Soumillon recovers £52,000 prize money as whip rules change
/ref> Almanzor (2016)'' *

Commonwealth Cup A commonwealth is a traditional English term for a political community founded for the common good. Historically, it has been synonymous with "republic". The noun "commonwealth", meaning "public welfare, general good or advantage", dates from the ...

- (1) - ''Perfect Power (2022)'' *

Coronation Cup The Coronation Cup is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at Epsom Downs over a distance of 1 mile, 4 furlongs and 6 yards ...

- (2) - '' Shirocco (2006), Cirrus de Aigles (2014)'' *

Coronation Stakes The Coronation Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old fillies. It is run at Ascot over a distance of 7 furlong and 213 yards (1,603 metres), and it is sched ...

- (1) - ''Ervedya (2015)'' *

Eclipse Stakes The Eclipse Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to horses aged three years or older. It is run at Sandown Park over a distance of 1 mile, 1 furl ...

- (1) - ''Vadeni (2022)'' * Falmouth Stakes - (1) - ''Giofra (2012)'' *

King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes The King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to horses aged three years or older. It is run at Ascot ...

- (1) - ''

Hurricane Run Hurricane Run (2002–2016) was a world champion Irish-bred thoroughbred racehorse. He was the second French-trained horse, after his sire Montjeu, to win both the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes. H ...

(2006)'' * Queen Anne Stakes - (1) - ''Valixir (2005)'' * Racing Post Trophy - (1) - ''American Post (2003)'' * Sun Chariot Stakes - (1) - ''Sahpresa (2010)'' *

Middle Park Stakes The Middle Park Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to two-year-old colts. It is run on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket over a distance of 6 furlongs (1,207 metres), and it is ...

- (1) - ''Perfect Power (2021)'' ----

Hong Kong Hong Kong ( (US) or (UK); , ), officially the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China (abbr. Hong Kong SAR or HKSAR), is a city and special administrative region of China on the eastern Pearl River Delta i ...

* 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 The Hong Kong Derby is a Hong Kong Thoroughbred horse race held annually since 1873. Restricted to horses four-years-old only since 1981, the race is run in mid-March and is the premier event on the domestic racing programme with a purse of HK$18 m ...

- (1) - '' Viva Pataca (2006)'' *

Hong Kong Gold Cup The Hong Kong Gold Cup is a Group One Hong Kong Thoroughbred horse race held annually since 1979 at Sha Tin Racecourse. It is open to horses three years of age and older. Run on grass, turf, it was initially run over a distance of 1,800 metre ...

- (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 Bullish Luck ({{zh, c=牛精福星) (foaled 1999) is a Hong Kong based Thoroughbred racehorse. Bred in Kentucky, he is the son of the 1990 Breeders' Cup Mile winner Royal Academy and out of the Alysheba mare Wild Vintage. He was sold by hi ...

(2005), Good Ba Ba (2009), Giant Treasure (2016)'' ----

Hungary Hungary ( hu, Magyarország ) is a landlocked country in Central Europe. Spanning of the Carpathian Basin, it is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine to the northeast, Romania to the east and southeast, Serbia to the south, Croa ...

* OTP Hungária Grand Prix - (1) - ''

Overdose A drug overdose (overdose or OD) is the ingestion or application of a drug or other substance in quantities much greater than are recommended.

(2009)'' ----

Ireland Ireland ( ; ga, Éire ; Ulster Scots dialect, Ulster-Scots: ) is an island in the Atlantic Ocean, North Atlantic Ocean, in Northwestern Europe, north-western Europe. It is separated from Great Britain to its east by the North Channel (Grea ...

* Irish Champion Stakes - (1) - ''

Almanzor Abu ʿĀmir Muḥammad ibn ʿAbdullāh ibn Abi ʿĀmir al-Maʿafiri ( ar, أبو عامر محمد بن عبد الله بن أبي عامر المعافري), nicknamed al-Manṣūr ( ar, المنصور, "the Victorious"), which is often Latiniz ...

(2016)'' *

Irish Oaks The Irish Oaks is a Group 1 flat horse race in Ireland open to three-year-old thoroughbred fillies. It is run at the Curragh over a distance of 1 mile and 4 furlongs (2,414 metres), and it i ...

- (1) - ''Shawanda (2005)'' * Pretty Polly Stakes - (1) - ''Hanami (2003)'' ----

Italy Italy ( it, Italia ), officially the Italian Republic, ) or the Republic of Italy, is a country in Southern Europe. It is located in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, and its territory largely coincides with the homonymous geographical ...

* Gran Premio di Milano - (1) - ''Shamdala (2006)'' * Oaks d'Italia - (1) - ''Dionisia (2006)'' * Premio Vittorio di Capua - (1) - ''Dick Turpin (2011)'' ---- Japan * Japan Cup - (1) - '' Epiphaneia (2014)'' * Queen Elizabeth II Commemorative Cup - (1) - '' Lucky Lilac (2019)'' *

Tenno Sho (Autumn) The is a horse race held twice a year in Japan, once in the spring and once in the autumn. "Tenno" means " Emperor of Japan". The races are both International Grade I races. Prior to the 2007 races, both Tenno Sho races were Japanese domestic Gr ...

- (1) - '' Buena Vista (2010)'' ----

United Arab Emirates The United Arab Emirates (UAE; ar, اَلْإِمَارَات الْعَرَبِيَة الْمُتَحِدَة ), or simply the Emirates ( ar, الِْإمَارَات ), is a country in Western Asia ( The Middle East). It is located at ...

* Al Quoz Sprint - (1) - '' Shea Shea (2013)'' * Dubai Duty Free Stakes - (1) - ''Terre à Terre (2002)'' *

Dubai Sheema Classic The Dubai Sheema Classic is a Group 1 flat horse race in the United Arab Emirates open to thoroughbreds which are four-years-old or above. It is run over a distance of 2,400 metres (approximately miles; 2410 metres since 2010) on the turf track ...

- (1) - ''Dolniya (2015)'' *

Jebel Hatta The Jebel Hatta is a Thoroughbred horse race run annually since 2000 at the Meydan Racecourse in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Raced on turf, it is open to horses four-years-old and up who were bred in the Northern Hemisphere and to horses three-yea ...

- (2) - ''Vercingetorix (2014), Dream Castle (2019)'' * UAE Derby - (2) - ''Musir (2010)'', Mubtaahij (2015)'',

(2017)'' * Dubai World Cup - (2) - ''

(2018, 2019)'' ----

United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 U.S. state, states, a Washington, D.C., federal district, five ma ...

Breeders' Cup Turf The Breeders' Cup Turf is a Weight for Age Thoroughbred horse race on turf for three-year-olds and up. It is held annually at a different racetrack in the United States or Canada as part of the Breeders' Cup World Championships. The race's curre ...

- (1) - ''Shirocco (2005)''

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Soumillon, Christophe 1981 births Living people People from Schaerbeek French jockeys Belgian expatriate sportspeople in France Sportspeople from Brussels