Renowned horse trainer Christophe Clement passed away at the age of 59 after battling metastatic uveal melanoma, a rare and aggressive form of eye cancer. The news was shared through a heartfelt farewell message posted on his stable’s social media accounts, in which Clement expressed pride in his career and gratitude to his supporters. Born in Paris, France, Clement was immersed in horse racing from an early age, learning the ropes from his father, Miguel Clement, a leading trainer in France. After gaining experience under prominent trainers in Europe and the United States, including Hall of Famer Shug McGaughey, Clement established his own training operation in 1991. He quickly made a name for himself, securing 2,576 career victories and amassing over $184 million in earnings.

Clement's most notable achievement came in 2014 when he trained Tonalist to victory in the Belmont Stakes, thwarting California Chrome's bid for the Triple Crown. He also celebrated a Breeders' Cup win in 2021 with Pizza Bianca in the Juvenile Fillies Turf, owned by celebrity chef Bobby Flay. Among his top horses was Gio Ponti, a two-time Eclipse Award winner who finished second to Zenyatta in the 2009 Breeders' Cup Classic.

Throughout his career, Clement was known for his integrity and dedication to the wellbeing of his horses. In his farewell message, he stated, "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 is survived by his wife, Valerie; son, Miguel; daughter, Charlotte; and grandson, Hugo. His son, Miguel, who has been his longtime assistant, will take over the stable, continuing the family's legacy in horse racing. The horse racing community mourns the loss of Christophe Clement, whose contributions to the sport have left an indelible mark.