Latest news with #ChristopheClement
Daily Mirror
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Top trainer who died from rare eye cancer aged 59 leaves heartbreaking message
Christophe Clement trained more than 2,500 winners in America, including 2014 Belmont Stakes hero Tonalist and at the Breeders Cup. He told people to 'enjoy life every single day' in a message posted on X Dozens of tributes have been left for inspirational racing trainer Christophe Clement who has died at the age of 59 after battling cancer. The French-born handler who moved to America for work in 1991 had been diagnosed with a rare form of the disease, metastatic uveal melanoma. His sad passing was announced in an emotional post he had written for social media, which he signed off with the message: "Enjoy life every single day." It began: "Unfortunately, if you are reading this, it means I was unable to beat my cancer. "As many of you know, I have been fighting an incurable disease, metastatic uveal melanoma. As I reflect on my journey, I realise I never worked a day in my life. Every morning, I woke up and did what I loved most surrounded by so much love. "Being a racehorse trainer is far more than a profession, horses have brought me fulfilment, friends, and such wonderful memories." Over the years, Clement won 41 Grade One races with his horses, first of all with Danish in the 1994 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup at Keeneland and finally saddling Far Bridge in the 2024 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic at Belmont. Two-time American turf champion Gio Ponti landed top events such as the Arlington Million and Man o' War Stakes over five seasons, with 12 victories from 29 races on his record, plus two places at the Breeders Cup. With training in the family, Clement started out with Alec Head in his own country and learned further from Luca Cumani before relocating to the US more than 30 years ago. He gained more than 250 Stakes races, earning more than $166 million in prize money and the 2014 Belmont Stakes with Tonalist. In the post, published on X, Clement thanked his wife and family for their support, as well as his owners who welcomed him into America with "immense kindness." He added: "I'm 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. "It goes without saying but none of our success could have been possible without a wonderful team behind me. I am truly honoured to leave Clement Stable in the capable hands of my son and long-time assistant, Miguel Clement. Success without a successor isn't truly success." Clement's message has been shared more than 800 times and tributes have been left by fellow trainers and racing fans. Jonathan Thomas, who has horses in New York and Kentucky, wrote: "Christophe, in 2002 you convinced a 22-year-old struggling jump jockey into joining your team. The next 5 years changed the trajectory of my life and you set a standard for horsemanship and ethics I strive for daily. My deepest condolences to the Clement family.: David Menuisier described Clement as an "incredible horseman" while his colleague Ed Dunlop said he was a "great man and brilliant trainer." "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 the New York Racing Association'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.
Washington Post
25-05-2025
- Health
- Washington Post
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.'
The Independent
25-05-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
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." Besides his son, he is survived by wife Valerie, daughter Charlotte Clement Collins, daughter-in-law Acacia Clement, son-in-law Shaun Collins and grandson Hugo Collins. ___
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
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. Advertisement '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 has 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. Advertisement He 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,' Clement wrote in his farewell message. One of his 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. 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. Advertisement 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. 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." Besides his son, he is survived by wife Valerie, daughter Charlotte Clement Collins and grandson Hugo Collins. ___ AP horse racing:
Associated Press
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
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 has 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. He 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,' Clement wrote in his farewell message. One of his 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. 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. 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.' Besides his son, he is survived by wife Valerie, daughter Charlotte Clement Collins and grandson Hugo Collins. ___ AP horse racing:
