Top US-based trainer Christophe Clement dies aged 59

Leading US-based trainer and Classic winner Christophe Clement has died at the age of 59 from cancer.

The French-born trainer enjoyed over 2,500 winners in the US, including the 2014 Belmont Stakes with Tonalist and with the Bobby Flay-owned Pizza Bianca in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies' Turf seven years later.

A post written to be published after Clement's death appeared on social media on Sunday, in which Clement said his training career brought him "fulfilment, friends and wonderful memories", while he also paid tribute to his wife Valerie and their children.

Clement trained for 34 years and won more than 250 Stakes races, with two-time American turf champion Gio Ponti among his most successful horses. He won prestigious races such as the Arlington Million and Man o' War Stakes and was twice a runner-up in the Breeders' Cup in the Classic and Mile.

His horses will now be trained by his son Miguel, who was in the process of transitioning to become the stable's main trainer.

Pizza Bianca won the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf in 2021Credit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

A post on X read: "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."

Clement garnered his interest from father Miguel, a successful trainer in Chantilly, before becoming assistant for a number of leading yards around the world, including Luca Cumani in Newmarket. His brother Nicolas still trains in France.

He moved to the US and started training in 1991, with his first runner a winner, and has gone on to win over 40 Grade 1 races and earned more than $166 million in prize-money.

The post 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 especially grateful to my lifetime assistant, Christophe Lorieul, who has been a key piece of our family for over 30 years... and counting! I'm truly honored to leave Clement Stable in the capable hands of my son and long-time assistant, Miguel Clement. This has been an ongoing transition over the last few years. Success without a successor isn't truly success.

"Finally, thank you to the horses and to my racing family for all the kind messages of support to both the CC tribe and me. Enjoy life every single day."