Christophe Clement (born November 1, 1965, in Paris, France) is a Thoroughbred horse trainer in the United States who won the 2014 Belmont Stakes with Tonalist.
| Christophe Clement | |
|---|---|
 Clement in a Paddock at Payson Park, Indiantown, Florida. | |
| Occupation | Thoroughbred Horse Trainer |
| Born | November 1, 1965 Paris, France |
| Career wins | 2,500+ (ongoing) |
| Major racing wins | |
 United States Grade I:
"Trainer of Pure Sensation inducted in the Parx Hall of Fame ( 2021 )" "Trainer of 2011 Eclipse awards winner"
"Trainer of 2010 Eclipse awards winner in two divisions"
"Leading trainer 2022 New-York Bred" "Leading trainer 2020 Aqueduct fall meet" "Leading trainer 2010 Keeneland spring meet" | |
Racing background
editClement initially acquired his training skills from his father, Miguel, a leading trainer in France. Christophe later worked for the prominent French racing family of trainer Alec Head. In the United States, Christophe studied under Hall Of Fame conditioner Shug McGaughey before returning to Europe to work as assistant to trainer Luca Cumani in Newmarket, England.
Racing career
edit
Christophe's first winner was the first horse he saddled, Spectaculaire, at Belmont Park in 1991. Since then, he has been a prolific force in graded stakes around the country including wins with Trampoli, Danish winner of the 1994 Queen Elizabeth II stakes at Keeneland, Voodoo Dancer, Blu Tusmani, Relaxed Gesture, Flag Down, Statesmanship, Coretta, Honor Glide, Dedication, Dynever, Forbidden Apple, and England's Legend who won the Beverly D. in 2001. He had a repeat win in the 2007 Beverly D. with Royal Highness. Other highlights of 2007 were stakes winners Meribel, Gio Ponti, Revved Up, Naissance Royale, Vacare, In Summation, and Rutherienne who won six stakes, among them five graded victories.
Christophe Clement Racing Stable has yielded more than $177 million in purses in 2024, over 250 graded stakes wins, over 440 all black type races, and over 2,500 wins. He celebrated his 1000th win in December 2008 and his 2,000th in 2020. Clement trained Gio Ponti who won two Eclipse Awards in 2010 and 2011. In 2014, he won the Belmont Stakes and twice the Jockey Club Gold Cup with Tonalist as well as the Breeders’ Cup at Del Mar with Pizza Bianca in 2021.
Personal life
editHe and his wife, Valerie, have a son, Miguel Clement who is working with the stable after graduating from Duke University and the Darley Flying Start, as well as a daughter, Charlotte Clement Collins and a grandson, Hugo Collins.