Christophe Soumillon

Jockey Profile

Christophe Soumillon

Christophe Soumillon was born in Brussels, Belgium on 4 June 1981. Soumillon was destined to be part of the horse racing community, as his father is jumping jockey Jean-Marc Soumillon, and he grew up in a house predisposed to horses.

In 1996, he relocated to Chantilly, France, and became Cedric Boutin's apprentice at the Chantilly Racecourse, and by 1997 he had triumphed in his first race aboard Bruno, and received his first title of French Champion Apprentice in 1999. 2000 was a good year for Soumillon and Andre Fabre, winning his first race aboard Sobieski in March, and then his first Pattern race, the Prix de Fontainebleau in April aboard Berine's Son.

Upon his return to Europe from the winter season of 2000 - 2001 at Hollywood Park and Santa Anita, he took the title of the Prix du Jockey-Club (the French Derby) aboard Anabaa Blue.

Five wins at Longchamp on Arc day decorated his 2003 season. Included in his three Group 1 wins, were Poule d'Essai des Pouliches (French 2000) aboard Musical Chimes and the Poule d'Essai des Poulains aboard Clodovil. He also won the Prix Lupin on Dalakhani and the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, claiming the title of French champion jockey in France.

Together with Shirocco in 2005, he was awarded his first Breeders' Cup Turf, and he recaptured the title of French champion jockey by setting a national record of 226 wins in France. In 2006, he yet again equaled the French record, triumphing in five races, together with the Prix Vermeille, Prix Niel and Prix Foy. He also claimed victory aboard Hurricane Run in the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes in Britain.

Christophe Soumillon - 10 Notable Wins

2000 - Prix de Fontainebleau - Berine's Son

2000 - Prix du Muguet - Dansili,

2001 - Prix du Jockey-Club - Anabaa Blue

2003 - Poule d'Essai des Pouliches - Musical Chimes

2003 - Poule d'Essai des Poulains - Clodovil

2003 - Prix Lupin - Dalakhani

2004 - Prix de Diane - Latice

2004 - Prix Jacques Le Marois - Whipper.

2005 - Breeders' Cup Turf - Shirocco

2006 - Coronation Cup - Shirocco