Trainer Christophe Clement Dies at 59 After Cancer Battle

NEW YORk, NY — Christophe Clement, a prominent trainer in thoroughbred horse racing, died on May 25, 2025, after a battle with metastatic uveal melanoma. He was 59 years old.

Clement, originally from Paris, France, began training full-time in the United States in 1991. The son of Francis trainer Miguel Clement, he first gained experience under celebrated trainer Alec Head before moving to the U.S. to work alongside Shug McGaughey. He also spent time as an assistant to Luca Cumani in Europe before establishing his own stable in the U.S.

In his inaugural race as a U.S. trainer, Clement won with Spectaculaire (by Spectacular Bid) at Belmont on October 2, 1991. His skills on grass quickly earned him a reputation, particularly with his star horse, Gio Ponti (by Tale of the Cat), who won components of the male grass champion titles in 2009 and 2010. Over the years, Clement achieved notable victories, totaling seven Grade I races and 11 stakes wins.

Despite his strengths with grass horses, he proved equally talented on dirt. His first major dirt win came with Funny Man, who triumphed in the 2009 GI Coaching Club American Oaks. His most celebrated dirt horse, however, was Tonalist, who clinched the GI Belmont Stakes in 2014, halting California Chrome‘s bid for the Triple Crown.

Throughout his career, Clement recorded 2,576 winners, finishing in the top three 19% of the time, with total earnings exceeding $184 million. He received a nomination for the Hall of Fame but had not yet secured enough votes for induction.

In 2021, Clement celebrated his first Breeders’ Cup win when Pizza Bianca (by Fastnet Rock) captured the GI Juvenile Fillies Turf. Her owner, Bobby Flay, remarked, “He’s a very cool customer. This time he showed a lot of emotion, and it was nice to see.”

Clement is survived by his wife, Valerie, and their two children, Charlotte and Miguel, who has served as his father’s top assistant. He also leaves behind grandson Hugo Collins and daughter-in-law Acacia Clement, who is a television personality.