Trainer Christophe Clement Passes at 59

[Wandering Eyes]

Christophe Clement, a native of Paris, France, who started training full-time in the U.S. in 1991, has passed away after battling Metastatic Uveal Melanoma. He was 59.

Clement was introduced to the sport by his father Miguel, a French trainer. He went to work for top French trainer Alec Head before coming to the U.S. to work for Shug McGaughey. He made one more stop in Europe, working as an assistant to Luca Cumani before opening up his own U.S. based stable in 1991.

Clement picked up his first win as a U.S. trainer with his first starter, Spectaculaire (Spectacular Bid) in an Oct. 2, 91 maiden race at Belmont.

Because of his European background, Clement was thought of as a grass trainer. That reputation grew as one of his first big stars was Gio Ponti (Tale of the Cat), who was named male grass champion in 2009 and 2010. He was also named older horse champion in 2009.He won seven Grade I races and 11 stakes in all.

As his stable expanded, he would prove to be just as adept with dirt horses. He registered his first Grade I win on the dirt with Funny Man, the winner of the 2009 GI Coaching Club American Oaks. His best dirt horse was undoubtedly Tonalist (Tapit), who won the 2014 GI Belmont S., ending California Chrome's (Lucky Pulpit) bid for a Triple Crown. He won three more Grade Is, two editions of the GI Jockey Club Gold Cup and the GI Cigar Mile.

Clement has been nominated to the Hall of Fame, but has yet to receive enough votes get in.

The Belmont was the only Triple Crown race that Clement won. He won his first Breeders' Cup race in 2021 when Pizza Bianca (Fastnet Rock ({Aus}) captured the GI Juvenile Fillies Turf.

“He's a very cool customer,” said Pizza Bianca's owner, Bobby Flay, at the time. “This time he showed a lot of emotion, and it was nice to see.”

Clement saddled 2576 winners during his career, finishing in the top three 19% of the time. His stable had compiled total earnings of $184,119,069.

He is survived by his wife Valerie; daughter Charlotte and son Miguel Clement, who has been serving as his father's top assistant; grandson Hugo Collins; and daughter-in-law and TV personality Acacia Clement.

To view a personal statement released by the Clement family on X Sunday, click here.

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