Christophe Soumillon showed a packed crowd at WSB Cape Town Met 2023 why he is considered one of the best jockeys in the world – if not the best – when he won the first three rides on the Kenilworth card.
The remaining four rides of the day finished second, third, ninth and second.
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The lanky Belgian, a 10-time champion in France, was off the mark in Race 2 aboard the Eric Sands-trained maiden Carriacou. Then she was masterful on the Mike de Kock-trained mare Desert Miracle in the Grade 1 Majorca Stakes, one of the most prestigious races for women in South Africa.
Win No 3 came for the juvenile filly Rascova, who defeated her male rivals to receive the Juvenile Summer Listed Stakes.
In the R5-million WSB Gold Rush, Dave The King’s mount just failed to overhaul the Royal Aussie. Isivunguvungu was third for Soumillon in the Cape Flying Championship, Golden Ducat was ninth in the Met and Nebraas was second in the Western Cape Stayers.
“This is an incredible moment for me!” said Soumillon after completing the hat-trick.
Earlier, he mentioned that his “lucky charm” was his wife Sophie, a TV presenter and former beauty queen, who accompanied him to the races.
Rider has been on something of a busman holiday in the Western Cape, doing a bit of racing while enjoying the region’s legendary tours. He is living in the Cape following a controversial incident in October at Saint Cloud in France, where he was banned from riding for 60 days after shoving and shoving Irish jockey Rossa Ryan during a race.
The incident caused Soumillon to lose his job as a rider who remained with the famous owner Aga Khan. The penalized jockey apologized profusely to all and paid the costs of the affected cages for the day.
After that, a long vacation, thousands of kilometers away from the rumpus, seemed good. And the ace finally ended his exile from the saddle at Kenilworth in the King Plate today, a few weeks ago.
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After Majorca’s victory on Saturday, Soumillon spoke of his close friendship with De Kock’s team and recalled how he had promised that he would go up to South Africa one day and win for them.
The vow was made during the successful Dubai Carnival a few years ago, when he and De Kock had teamed up “to achieve good things” – not to mention a fun social life. “We’re like a family now,” he said.
The family atmosphere was so warm that Soumillon said: “Mike de Kock is the best coach in the world!”
Guys who have won the Prix de la Arc de Triomphe, the Breeders’ Cup Turf and the Champion Stakes can tell.
There were plenty of local standouts on the day, too, with former champion trainer Justin Snaith saddling four winners, including big race winner Jet Dark and Salvator Mundi in the Western Cape Stayers. Jockey Richard Fourie partnered all four.
Owner Greg Bortz, the man who saved the Cape race from extinction, led in two winners: Nevada King in Race 5 and Salvator Mundi.
Trainer Dean Kannemeyer, jockey Keagan de Melo and Khaya Stables of Lady Laidlaw achieved a double – with Gimme A Prince in the Cape Flying Championship and USA’s Hope in the Race 11, The Invitational.