Steward Soumillon takes his seat within the Ballydoyle quarters as Whirl prepares to challenge the Arc-Trials
Christophe Soumillon Takes the Reins for Aidan O'Brien in Paris
Christophe Soumillon, a ten-time champion jockey in France, will be riding for Aidan O'Brien's team in Paris this Sunday. The focus of this weekend's racing is the Arc-Trials card at Longchamp's Bois de Boulogne, which has been brought forward a week.
Soumillon is expected to be the main jockey for the Ballydoyle team everywhere for the coming months, filling in for Ryan Moore who is injured and unable to ride. The Irish Derby winner, Los Angeles, will be ridden by Soumillon in the Prix Foy at 1.33.
In the €600,000 Qatar Prix Vermeille at 3.25pm Irish-time, Soumillon will ride Grezora. Meanwhile, in the Prix Du Moulin at 2.50pm, he will be on board Henri Matisse, the French Guineas hero.
Soumillon and O'Brien have not worked together since the Epsom Derby more than two decades ago. Soumillon's record in Ireland has been a subject of criticism and praise, with some notable reversals but also standout wins such as the Champion Stakes on Almanzor.
Soumillon's self-assurance has earned him the reputation of being more French than the French. His record is hard to argue with, with successes in Japan and Hong Kong. However, he has also been involved in controversy, including a two-month ban for elbowing a fellow rider out of the saddle in 2022.
A Dream To Share, popular in betting for next month's English Cesarewitch, was denied a mark by the Irish handicapper. However, the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board has allowed the handicapping appeal involving the JP McManus owned horse.
Swagman, who has been out of action since April, will be ridden by Soumillon in the Prix Niel at 4.00. The trainer of Tennessee Stud, who placed third in the Irish Derby and is ridden by Dylan Browne McMonagle in the Prix Niel, is Joseph O'Brien. Soumillon will also ride Whirl in the same race.
Soumillon has ruled himself out of a ride in Doncaster's St Leger next weekend. The IHRB will provide its reasons for allowing the appeal in writing not later than next Friday.
Serengeti will be ridden by Dylan Browne McMonagle in the Prix Du Moulin. The Arc-Trials card at Longchamp's Bois de Boulogne promises to be an exciting event with Soumillon at the helm for the Ballydoyle team.
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