NYRA mourns the passing of trainer Christophe Clement

By Keith McCalmont —-

Paulick Photo
NYRA mourns the passing of trainer Christophe Clement

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) mourns the loss of trainer Christophe Clement, who has passed away at the age of 59 at home in the presence of family.

The native of Paris, France, enjoyed success at the top levels of the sport for more than three decades, including a Classic win in the 2014 Grade 1 Belmont Stakes with Tonalist for owner Robert S. Evans.

“Every now and then a rare individual comes along and distinguishes themselves in the way they approach life, rising to the top of their game and positively impacting those around them. Christophe was a leader, a family man, friend and mentor to others,” said Marc Holliday, Chairman of NYRA’s Board of Directors. “Christophe was an incredible horseman, who always put the horse first and the results speak for themselves. I feel lucky to have known him. His legacy is his family and the giant he was in the industry. It will take time to grieve his loss, but as much as this is a sad day, in time there will be much to celebrate for a life well lived.”

“Beyond his accomplishments as a trainer, which are many, Christophe Clement was a kind and generous man who made lasting contributions to the fabric of racing in New York,” said David O’Rourke, NYRA 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.”

Family was always at the heart of his operation, learning at the hand of his late father, Miguel Clement, a successful trainer in France. After his father passed in 1978, Clement worked with many of the elite trainers in Europe, including legendary French conditioner Alec Head. In 1986, he spent time with Taylor Made Farm in the U.S., and a stint with Hall of Famer Shug McGaughey.

Clement ventured back to Europe in 1987 to work for Luca Cumani in the U.K. before returning stateside to go out on his own in 1991, winning with his first starter, Spectaculaire, that October over the inner turf at Belmont Park with Triple Crown-winning jockey Jean Cruguet at the helm. That victory came just one year after his brother, Nicolas Clement, saddled Saumarez to a prestigious victory in the 1990 Group 1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. Clement was pre-deceased by another brother, Marc Clement.

Clement was supported throughout his racing journey by his wife, Valerie, who in addition to handling the business side of the stable, operates her own design company. Together, they raised their children Charlotte and Miguel. Charlotte, a Vanderbilt University graduate, received her MBA from Harvard Business School. She is married to Shaun Collins and a proud Clement was often seen trackside at the Oklahoma holding his young grandchild, Hugo Christophe Clement Collins.

Miguel, who has served as his father’s assistant since graduating from Duke University and the Darley Flying Start program, is married to NYRA TV analyst Acacia Clement. Miguel will take over training duties going forward and will continue a storied family legacy that includes his father’s 30 years of excellence at the top of the sport.

Christophe Lorieul, a member of Clement’s ‘chosen family’ and his assistant since 1994, will also continue to steer the organization with a steady hand.

Clement, who saddled 2,576 winners from 13,269 starters according to Equibase statistics, ranks 11th all-time in total earnings with more than $184 million led by Castleton Lyons’ Gio Ponti [$6.1 million], the Champion Older Horse of 2009, who also took honors as Champion Grass Horse in 2009-10; and his Belmont Stakes champion Tonalist [$3.6 million], who won back-to-back editions of the Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup in 2014-15 before concluding a brilliant career with a neck victory in the 2015 Grade 1 Cigar Mile Handicap at Aqueduct Racetrack.

In the press conference following the 2014 Belmont Stakes, Clement, who became a U.S. citizen last year, acknowledged the importance of Tonalist’s victory.

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

Clement could prepare a horse for any surface with Gio Ponti exemplifying his trainer’s expertise by winning seven Grade 1s from 2009 to 2011, including NYRA’s Man o’ War [2009-10] and Manhattan [2009] as he hit the board in 23-of-29 starts. Gio Ponti was a model of consistency at the highest level for five years, whether going short or long, on firm or soft turf, and even synthetic – the success spanning distances from 7-to-11 furlongs.

Gio Ponti’s reputation only grew stronger in his defeats, missing a Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Classic score in 2009 over the Santa Anita synthetic when a one-length second to the Hall of Fame mare Zenyatta. One year later, Gio Ponti was denied in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Mile when a closing second to the brilliant Hall of Famer Goldikova, who was trained by Freddy Head – the son of Clement’s late mentor Alec Head.

Clement picked up his first graded win in 1992, his second season of training, with Passagere du Soir in the Grade 2 Gulfstream Park Budweiser Breeders’ Cup Handicap – thus beginning a streak of 33 consecutive years with a graded winner as he etched his name onto the winner’s ledger of many of North America’s most prestigious events, including a record five editions of Saratoga’s Sword Dancer [Honor Glide, 1999; Winchester, 2011; Gufo, 2021-22; and Far Bridge, 2024].

Clement, a consummate horseman, made headlines for only the right reasons over a storied career and set an example on how to prepare an athlete for the biggest stage.

“Our hearts are saddened today,” said NYTHA President Tina Marie Bond. “Christophe was a consummate horseman and so esteemed by his peers, but above all he cherished his family and friends. He made an extraordinary life for himself here in New York. Our sympathies go out to Valerie, Miguel, Charlotte, and Acacia, as well as all of the long-standing members of the CC tribe. May he rest in peace.”

Clement was wont to greet visiting media seeking quotes with a mischievous smile in advance of big race days, often saying the race in question was, “a little bit ambitious.” And yet, more often than not, he met that ambition square on, as the conditioner of more than 20 millionaires, including 41 Grade 1 winners, adding Breeders’ Cup success to his resume when Pizza Bianca captured the 2021 Grade 1 Juvenile Fillies Turf at Del Mar.

His superlatives extended across the border to Canada where he notched Grade 1 scores with Relaxed Gesture [2005 Canadian International], Decorated Invader [2019 Summer], Mutamakina [2021 E. P. Taylor], and Carson’s Run [2023 Summer].

Clement, who lived stoically through treatment for cancer for the past several years, had his success continue into his final year of training, adding four additional graded wins to his ledger, led by Grade 2 scores at the Big A from Deterministic in the Fort Marcy and Far Bridge in the Man o’ War.

A gentleman through and through, Clement met the public with bright eyes, a broad smile and a genuine interest in their wellbeing. He graced many a winner’s circle with trademark sartorial splendor, in particular his infamous Nantucket Reds, before deflecting any of the credit to the owners, his team and most importantly, the horse.

“He was always interested in seeing others succeed in racing,” said Najja Thompson, Executive Director of New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. and longtime friend of the Clement family. “He wanted to see the sport succeed at every level, but most of all, he was a compelling, compassionate, friendly and outgoing individual, that really supported everyone he encountered in his life, including mine.”

Funeral arrangements are pending.