
Horse trainer Christophe Clement dies at 59 from rare eye cancer
Christophe Clement, who trained longshot Tonalist to victory in the 2014 Belmont Stakes and won a Breeders' Cup race in 2021, has died. He was 59.
Clement announced his own death in a prepared statement that was posted to his stable's X account on Sunday.
'Unfortunately, if you are reading this, it means I was unable to beat my cancer,' it said. 'As many of you know, I have been fighting an incurable disease, metastatic uveal melanoma.'
It's a type of cancer that affects the uvea, the middle layer of the eye. It accounts for just 5% of all melanoma cases in the U.S., however, it can be aggressive and spread to other parts of the body in up to 50% of cases, according to the Melanoma Research Alliance's website.
The Paris-born Clement had been one of the top trainers in the U.S. over the last 34 years. He learned under his father, Miguel, who was a leading trainer in France. Clement later worked for the prominent French racing family of Alec Head. In the U.S., he first worked for Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey.
Clement went out on his own in 1991, winning with the first horse he saddled at Belmont Park in New York.
'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," Dave O'Rouke, president and CEO of the New York Racing Association said in a statement.
Clement had 2,576 career victories and purse earnings of over $184 million, according to Equibase.
'I am very proud that for over 30 years in this industry, we have operated every single day with the highest integrity, always putting the horses' wellbeing first,' he said in his farewell message.
One of Clement's best-known horses was Gio Ponti, winner of Eclipse Awards as champion male turf horse in 2009 and 2010. He finished second to Zenyatta in the 2009 Breeders' Cup Classic at Santa Anita.
In the 2014 Belmont, Tonalist spoiled the Triple Crown bid of California Chrome, who tied for fourth. Tonalist won by a head, after not having competed in the Kentucky Derby or Preakness that year.
Steve Coburn, co-owner of California Chrome, caused controversy when he said afterward the horses that hadn't run in the other two races took 'the coward's way out.' He later apologized and congratulated the connections of Tonalist.
Clement's lone Breeders' Cup victory was with Pizza Bianca, owned by celebrity chef Bobby Flay, in the Juvenile Fillies Turf. Clement had seven seconds and six thirds in other Cup races.
'It was Christophe's genuine love for the horse that truly set him apart," Eric Hamelback, CEO of the National Horseman's Benevolent and Protective Association, said in a statement. "He was a consummate professional and a welcoming gentleman whose demeanor was always positive, gracious and upbeat.'
Clement's statement said he would leave his stable in the hands of his son and longtime assistant, Miguel.
'As I reflect on my journey, I realize I never worked a day in my life,' Clement's statement said. 'Every morning, I woke up and did what I loved most surrounded by so much love."
___
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Business Upturn
43 minutes ago
- Business Upturn
Clement Lenglet ready to terminate Barca's contract for Atlético
Clement Lenglet is all set to sign for Atlético Madrid on a 3-year deal until June 2028. By Ravi Kumar Jha Published on June 9, 2025, 18:47 IST Clément Lenglet is all set to sign for Atlético Madrid on a 3-year deal until June 2028. The defender is terminating his contract with Barcelona as the club has also started the process. Lenglet wants to stay at Atlético and will be staying here for the next three years. Clément Lenglet is on the verge of completing a permanent move to Atlético Madrid, with a contract running until June 2028. The French centre-back is set to terminate his contract with Barcelona, and the Catalan club has already initiated the process to facilitate his departure. Lenglet spent the 2023/24 season on loan at Aston Villa but struggled to cement a regular starting role. However, he now looks poised to continue his career in Spain with Diego Simeone's side. The 28-year-old is reportedly keen on staying at Atlético and has agreed to a three-year deal that reflects his long-term commitment to the club. With Barcelona ready to part ways and Lenglet eager to remain in Madrid, the deal is expected to be finalized soon, marking the end of his six-year stint with the Blaugrana and the beginning of a new chapter with Los Colchoneros. Ravi kumar jha is an undergraduate student in Bachelor of Arts in Multimedia and Mass Communication. A media enthusiast who has a strong hold on communication and he also has a genuine interest in sports. Ravi is currently working as a journalist at
Yahoo
43 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Coco Gauff Reveals Promise Note After Winning French Open
Coco Gauff Reveals Promise Note After Winning French Open originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Coco Gauff won the 2025 French Open on Saturday, defeating world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka. Gauff came back from a set down to win at Roland Garros, becoming the first American woman to win there since Serena Williams in 2015, and the youngest American since Williams in 2002. Advertisement In her post-match speech, Gauff thanked the French crowd for its continuous support and quoted musician Tyler the Creator. "If I ever told you that I had a doubt inside me, I must be lying," she said. "So I would like to leave that with you guys. I think I was lying to myself, and I definitely could do it. Shoutout to Tyler and shoutout to you guys." American Coco Gauff kisses the trophy after winning the women's singles title at the French Open.© Susan Mullane-Imagn Images Shortly after walking off the French clay for the final time this year, Gauff shared a meaningful, self-written note from June 8, 2021, on her Instagram story, manifesting her Grand Slam Victory. It served as a motivating reminder for the 21-year-old throughout her journey to her first title in Paris. Advertisement "I had a dream last night that I will win french open idk if it is true or if if it is this years french open but it had a dream abt it," Gauff wrote when she was 17. Coco Gauff shares a self-written message about a dream she had in 2021, which finally came true on Gauff, Instagram In another post, Gauff paid tribute to 2024 Olympic 200-meter track and field champion Gabby Thomas, saying she felt inspired to follow in her footsteps and reach her own goals. "ignore my handwriting but I saw Gabby Thomas do this. had to do the same lol," Gauff posted. On a piece of paper, Gauff repeatedly hand-wrote, "I will win the French Open 2025." Coco Gauff manifests 2025 Roland-Garros victory and pays credit to Gabby Thomas for Gauff, Instagram Gauff's win on Saturday adds a second Grand Slam title to her career, following her U.S. Open victory in 2023. Advertisement At just 21, Gauff has reached two French Open finals in three years. Related: Coco Gauff Receives Message From PGA Tour After French Open Win This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 7, 2025, where it first appeared.


San Francisco Chronicle
an hour ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
Today in Sports - Manchester City completes Champions League, Premier League, and FA Cup victories
June 10 1890 — The Preakness Stakes is run outside Baltimore, at Morris Park in New York. The race is then suspended for three years, and resumes at the Brooklyn Jockey Club's Gravesend Course from 1894-1908. 1932 — Gene Sarazen leads wire-to-wire to win the British Open by five strokes ahead of Macdonald Smith at Prince's Golf Club in Sandwich, England. Sarazen finishes with a tournament record of 283. 1933 — Johnny Goodman wins the U.S. Open golf title, making him the last amateur to win this event. 1934 — Italy beats Czechoslovakia 2-1 in extra time to win the second FIFA World Cup at the Stadio Flaminio in Rome. Italy trailing 1-0, ties the game at the 80th minute. Angelo Schiavio scores the winning goal in extra time. 1944 — A rare triple dead heat occurs in the Carter Handicap at Aqueduct with Bossuet, Brownie and Wait a Bit crossing the finish line together. 1950 — Sixteen months after near-fatal car accident, Ben Hogan wins the U.S. Open. Hogan beats Lloyd Mangrum and George Fazio in an 18-hole playoff at the Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, Pa. 1968 — UEFA European Championship Final, Stadio Olimpico, Rome, Italy: Italy beats Yugoslavia, 2-0 in a replay (first game, 1-1). 1973 — Mary Mills shoots a 63 in the final round of the LPGA Championship to beat Betty Burfeindt by one stroke. 1977 — Al Geiberger sets a PGA Championship 18-hole record when he shoots a 59 in the Danny Thomas Classic. 1978 — Affirmed, ridden by Steve Cauthen, wins the Belmont Stakes to capture the Triple Crown in one of the greatest battles in racing history. Affirmed edges Alydar for the third time. 1981 — Pete Rose ties Stan Musial's NL record of 3,630 hits. 1989 — Wayne Gretzky of the Los Angeles Kings is named the NHL's MVP, winning the Hart Trophy for a record ninth time. 1995 — Trainer D. Wayne Lukas wins a record five straight Triple Crown races as Thunder Gulch takes the Belmont Stakes. Lukas is the first trainer to win the Triple Crown races with two different horses. Lukas' Timber Country won the Preakness. 1996 — Colorado's Patrick Roy makes 63 saves before Uwe Krupp scores 4:31 into the third overtime to give the Avalanche a 1-0 victory against the Florida Panthers at Miami Arena and complete a four-game sweep of the Stanley Cup Final. 2000 — Stanley Cup Final, Reunion Arena, Dallas, TX: New Jersey Devils defeat Dallas Stars, 2-1 in double OT for a 4-2 series victory. 2006 — In Atlantic City, N.J., Bernard Hopkins wins a unanimous decision over light heavyweight champion Antonio Tarver, capping an 18-year career with an upset for the ages. 2010 — Southern California is placed on four years probation, receives a two-year bowl ban and a sharp loss of football scholarships. The NCAA cites USC for a lack of institutional control. The NCAA found that Reggie Bush, identified as a 'former football student-athlete,' was ineligible beginning at least by December 2004. The NCAA also orders USC to vacate every victory in which Bush participated while ineligible. USC loses 30 scholarships over a three-year period, 10 annually from 2011-13. 2012 — Shanshan Feng wins the LPGA Championship to become the first Chinese player to win an LPGA Tour title and a major event. 2018 — Rafael Nadal won a record-extending 11th championship at Roland Garros by beating Dominic Thiem 6-4, 6-3, 6-2. Nadal became the second player in tennis history to win 11 singles titles at any Grand Slam tournament after Margaret Court, who claimed 11 Australian Open titles. 2018 — Kristen Gillman led a U.S. singles sweep in the biggest blowout in Curtis Cup history. Gillman, a 20-year-old University of Alabama star, beat 16-year-old Annabell Fuller 5 and 4 to cap a perfect weekend at Quaker Ridge in Scarsdale, N.Y. The Americans won 17-3, breaking the record for margin of victory of 11 set in a 14 1/2-3 1/2 victory at Denver Country Club in 1982. 2023 — UEFA Champions League Final, Ataturk Stadium, Istanbul: Manchester City beats Inter Milan, 1-0 to complete historic Champions League, Premier League & FA Cup trifecta.