Christophe Soumillon guided Skaters Walts (Ire) (Verglas {Ire}) to a narrow success in a 2400-metre event on a rainy Saturday evening at Lyon La Soie Racecourse in the southeast quadrant of France to register his 301st win in the saddle in 2017. With a victory in a modest claiming event, The Belgian-born jockey broke the previous European record of 300 winners established just last year by rising star Pierre-Charles Boudot.
Soumillon entered Friday's action on 295 winners before bringing up a two-timer in both sections of the Prix de la Hauquerie (1900m) at Deauville. Soumillon remained at the seaside venue for its Saturday afternoon program and managed a single victory from seven rides, landing the Listed Prix Luthier (1500m) aboard Qatar Racing Limited's Mr. Owen (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) and trainer David Simcock. From there, Soumillon jetted to Lyon for the evening program, posting victories in races two and three prior to his record-breaking ride.
Soumillon made it four straight on the program and 302 for the season with a score in Lyon race five.
Saturday's record-breaking ride caps a banner 2017 season for Soumillon, who notched up 15 group races over the course of the season, four at Group 1 level, including the G1 Grand Prix de Paris for His Highness the Aga Khan and trainer Alain de Royer-Dupre. The victory marked the 100th top-level success of his career. (Click for video of Soumillon celebrating with friends and family following Saturday's record)
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