Soumillon Breaks Asmussen's Victory Mark

Jockey Christophe Soumillon broke Cash Asmussen's French riding record for wins in a season with a triple at Fontainebleau Saturday.

Soumillon, a 22-year-old Belgian, tied the record with his 200th victory in 2003 aboard American-bred Le Carre in a listed stakes race. He broke the record a short time later with As My Guest. Earlier on the card, he guided Autumn Forest to victory.

Asmussen set the record in 1988.

Le Carre, a 5-year-old son of Miswaki from the Spectacular Bid mare Dibs, was bred by Haras Santa Maria De Araras. He won the 1 7/8-mile Prix Denisy by four lengths over Albanov on extremely soft going for trainer Alain de Royer-Dupre.

Soumillon, who rode European Horse of the Year Dalakhani to victory in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (Fr-I) and French Derby (Fr-I), told The Racing Post, "I'm particulary happy that the horse is trained by Alain de Royer-Dupre. Thanks to him, the Boutin family and Andre Fabre, I have been able to reach this total. It's been a marvelous season and I hope to do even better next year."

Referring to the Aga Khan-owned Dalakhani, he added, "If I have the chance to ride a horse of the same quality again in my career, I will be a very lucky man."