Soumillon future with Aga Khan unclear after 'unconscionable, unthinkable' act

Christophe Soumillon's future as retained rider to the Aga Khan remains unclear and will be discussed in crunch talks on Monday, according to the leading owner's daughter Princess Zahra Aga Khan.

French racing's highest-profile jockey stunned the sport on Friday when elbowing Rossa Ryan out of the saddle at Saint-Cloud and, after apologising, was given a 60-day suspension.

Soumillon won the Prix Daniel Wildenstein with Erevann on Saturday, despite the owners of Malavath, the filly he is due to partner in a Group 1 contest on Sunday, having made clear they believe the 41-year-old should not be participating at Longchamp.

France Galop also confirmed it did not want Soumillon to be part of the two-day meeting but said it was powerless to stop the ten-time champion jockey from taking his five rides on Saturday. France Galop pledged to revisit its rules so that bans can be activated immediately.

Soumillon will partner the Aga Khan's Prix du Jockey Club and Eclipse winner Vadeni in the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (3.05) on day two and is also set to ride the owner's Ebaiyra in the Prix de l'Opera.

Christophe Soumillon takes the Prix Daniel Wildenstein on Erevann at Longchamp on SaturdayCredit: Edward Whitaker

"We talked about what we could do and according to the rules of racing it was too close to this weekend, so we're concentrating on the racing and will talk to Christophe on Monday," said Princess Zahra.

"Obviously it was an unconscionable, unthinkable thing to happen and to do. As a team we are going to have a proper conversation with Christophe."

Princess Zahra, who flew to France from Canada on Friday, was asked if the rider's future employment with her family could now be in question.

She added: "It's certainly too early for me to say. We are still digesting it and we haven't had a chance yet to all sit down together.

"It was a very difficult thing to watch and it's very lucky that nobody got hurt."

Soumillon was the Aga Khan's retained rider in France between 2002 and 2009, when a statement from the owner said his contract was not being renewed because relations had "become difficult". The decision was taken after Soumillon made what were deemed to be ill-judged comments about Andre Fabre during a gala dinner.

The jockey enjoyed a triumphant comeback in the green and red silks when winning the Prix de l'Opera with Dalkala in 2013. He has subsequently recorded a host of big winners for the Aga Khan since regaining one of the sport's most coveted jobs.

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