Christophe Clément, trainer of 41 Grade 1 wins, dies at age 59

Christophe Clément, who grew up in a racing family in his native France before finding success as a trainer in America, died this weekend after suffering from a rare form of cancer. He was 59.

“Unfortunately, if you are reading this, it means I was unable to beat my cancer,” Clément said in a message he left for his family to post on social media after his death. “As many of you know, I have been fighting an incurable disease, metastatic uveal melanoma.”

Clément’s most celebrated wins came with Tonalist in the 2014 Belmont Stakes and Pizza Bianca in the 2021 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf. His best horse was Gio Ponti, a seven-time Grade 1 winner in a career which spanned 2007-11 with three Eclipse Awards and earnings of $6,169,800.

“You cannot find much better than him when it comes to consistency,” Clement said in 2011. “To be consistent at the Grade 1 level makes you brilliant, and he’s won seven Grade 1 races. That’s brilliant. I enjoy being around him, training him, watching him race, because I know he’s going to try, and that’s a great thing. He’s always here when I need him.”

Clément had 2,576 wins from 13,269 starts with earnings of $184,119,069, according to Equibase. He had 41 Grade 1 victories beginning with Danish in the 1994 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup at Keeneland and ending with Far Bridge in the 2024 Sword Dancer at Saratoga. He was a Hall of Fame finalist in 2025.

His most recent win came with Burn Notice in a maiden race Monday at Finger Lakes. Horses already entered in his name for races in the coming week were mandatory scratches under New York regulations.

Christophe Clément was born into a racing family in Paris on Nov. 1, 1965. Miguel Clément, his father, was a leading trainer in France.

As a young man applying what he had learned about horsemanship, Clément worked for then-trainer Alec Head, the patriarch of France’s most prominent racing family.

He studied economics at the University of Assas in Paris, where he met his future wife Valerie.

Clément did his apprentice work in the United States, first at Taylor Made Farm and then under Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey. He would return Europe, but not to his native France. He ventured to England to work as an assistant to Newmarket-based Luca Cumani from Italy.

A permanent move to America came in the early ’90s, and success followed quickly. Clément trained a winner in his first race Oct. 20, 1991, when Spectaculaire finished first by a neck as the 9-5 favorite in a maiden race on the turf at Belmont Park.

Clément loved his adopted home in America, especially New York. He made that clear after Tonalist won the 2014 Belmont Stakes.

“This race means a lot, because it’s the Belmont,” he said. “Even if I’m French, I consider myself a New Yorker, and I will enjoy this for a while.”

Tributes to Clément were expressed across racing Sunday.

“Beyond his accomplishments as a trainer, which are many, Christophe Clément was a kind and generous man who made lasting contributions to the fabric of racing in New York,” said David O’Rourke, New York Racing Association president and CEO. “His loss is profound, and he will be deeply missed across our sport. We extend our condolences to Christophe’s family and legion of friends.”

“I am sorry to see this news,” WinStar Farm CEO Elliott Walden said on X. “Being at Payson over the winter you knew it was coming but not expected this quickly. Christophe was a talented horseman, a fine friend and truly a gentleman. We have lost two great ones this week in (Kentucky Derby trainer) Larry (Demeritte) and Christophe. Praying for both of your families.”

“For decades Christophe was the embodiment of professionalism, dedication and integrity in our industry,” said Eric Hamelback, CEO of the National Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association. “He earned the deep respect of his peers through consistent excellence and a record of success at the highest levels of racing. Yet beyond achievements, it was Christophe’s genuine love for the horse that truly set him apart. He was a consummate professional and a welcoming gentleman whose demeanor was always positive, gracious and upbeat.”

“His mark upon our sport also went above and beyond just winning races,” the Breeders’ Cup said in a written statement. “He was a fierce champion of integrity, a friend and mentor to many and a consummate professional who always put the well-being of his horses at the forefront of every decision.”

“Christophe, in 2002 you convinced a 22-year-old struggling jump jockey into joining your team,” trainer Jonathan Thomas, a former assistant for Clément, said on X. “The next five years changed the trajectory of my life, and you set a standard for horsemanship and ethics that I strive for daily. My deepest condolences to the Clément family.”

Clément is survived by his wife Valerie and his adult children Miguel and Charlotte. Miguel Clément has been his father’s assistant trainer.

“I am truly honored to leave Clement stable in the capable hands of my son and longtime assistant Miguel Clément,” the late trainer said in his final statement. “This has been an ongoing transition over the last few years. Success without a successor isn’t truly success. Watching this transition has truly been one of my proudest moments.”