Thoroughbred Racing Fan Association, Inc.
Thoroughbred Racing Fan Association, Inc.
A TRIBUTE TO DIGNITY by Jean Chodkowski
5/30/2025
Sometimes, even in the middle of the Triple Crown races, an event occurs that makes us take a step back, and put the sport in a context we rarely think about. Such an event happened this passed Sunday, when horse racing found out, in his own words, that trainer Christophe Clement had passed away
Thinking about the horses he placed on the track for race fans to cheer, one thing came to mind; they all seemed to be healthy and ready. We remember Tonalist, who won the Belmont Stakes, and how there wasn’t crazed boasting at the result, just unassuming appreciation for what the horse accomplished
However, the performance we remember most often was a loss. It was the two-time turf champion, Gio Ponti losing in the Breeders’ Cup Classic against the Queen of SoCal, Zenyatta. Even though, the horse was recognized to be the best turf runner at that time, trainer Clement decided to run him in the Classic. You might wonder why the trainer would enter his horse in the Classic, instead of the BC Turf. If any trainer knew turf runners, it was Clement, and the fact that the Classic was run on the synthetic surface at Hollywood Park that year makes the decision clear. That’s confidence in your work, not arrogance
He may be remember as a turf horse trainer for all the successes his horses had on that surface, but there really is only one word to describe the man: class. In a sport where class is never applied to humans, it is this attribute we will miss the most because of its rarity. He displayed it in his final words to us: “Enjoy Life Every Single Day.”
Rest in peace, and thank you.