After three Group One victories within the area of seven days, it’s straightforward to grasp why Christophe Soumillon is relishing each minute in his enviable function as tremendous sub for Aidan O’Brien.
Having answered the decision from the Ballydoyle group to deputise for the injured Ryan Moore, the 44-year-old has confirmed the right short-term match for probably the most high-pressure jobs in world racing.
In addition to O’Brien benefitting from the wealth of top-level expertise Soumillon brings to the desk, the rider himself has reaped the rewards of a record-chasing 12 months from the Tipperary coach, stepping in to experience high-class expertise at an important stage of the season.
Having damaged the ice on his short-term association with a key success on Irish Champions weekend, Soumillon has loved a stellar week within the saddle nurturing the following technology of Coolmore’s Traditional contenders.
Puerto Rico and Fillies’ Mile scorer Exact each marketed their top-class credentials throughout this golden spell of success, however Soumillon feels Prix Marcel Boussac winner Diamond Necklace may develop into the jewel within the Ballydoyle crown.
“At the moment they are different as Diamond Necklace doesn’t have as much experience as Precise,” mentioned Soumillon when requested to check O’Brien’s juvenile aces.
“For me they’re each actually good, however I do have just a little desire for Diamond Necklace. I believe the way in which she received in Leopardstown amazed me and in France it was simply fingers and heels.
“It’s difficult to compare what could be two great fillies and I’m sure for Ryan next year if they run in the same race he will have a difficult decision.
“It is thrilling for Aidan to have two nice fillies and possibly a number of extra within the yard. It is a pleasure to have the alternatives to experience this sort of high quality.”
Diamond Necklace could also be shading favouritism within the battle for Soumillon’s affections, however Exact did loads to strengthen her personal trigger with a devastating efficiency on the Rowley Mile – and one which completely impressed her short-term pilot.
“When I asked her to quicken she responded straight away and I said to Aidan ‘I think I got there too soon’,” mentioned Soumillon, analysing the show of the overall 4-1 favorite for subsequent 12 months’s 1000 Guineas.
“I really loved the way she quickened and won in the Moyglare, but in the Fillies’ Mile she was even more impressive.
“She’s actually good, she’s actually balanced and he or she wakes up when she will get on the observe. She responded so nicely once I requested her on the two-furlong marker, it was like a chunk of morning work.
“She’s really special and the way she has won her last two races is really impressive. She could be a great filly.”
Soumillon is way from a brand new identify to the pool of jockeys who make themselves out there for O’Brien, however admittedly within the latter levels of his embellished profession, this late-season link-up is offering recollections to savour in a relationship which started virtually twenty years in the past.
He added: “I always say to my agent to give Aidan first call when he has runners in France and needs me to help out when Ryan isn’t available. I do this with a lot of pleasure and it’s great to do this at this stage of my career.
“I keep in mind driving for him virtually 20 years in the past when Kieren [Fallon] was suspended and earlier than Johnny [Murtagh] had the job. I believe Dylan Thomas was my solely main winner [in the 2007 Prix Ganay] however this time it has been superb.”
Soumillon’s quick spell within the Coolmore hotseat will come to an finish when Moore returns from the stress fracture of his femur which is at present maintaining him on the sidelines, with the big-name substitute sure O’Brien’s centre of excellence performs residence to many champions of the longer term.
“Aidan and the whole Coolmore team will be really happy with the horses they have [for next year] and I’m sure Ryan is looking on and hoping he will be back as soon as possible,” mentioned Soumillon.
“Aidan is always trying to do better and better and he’s close to breaking his own record this season.
“Whenever you take a look at all of the Group Ones they’ve received in the previous couple of weeks, it is simple to know why they’re the largest group on the planet.
“I always think of Ryan as well, as I know from when I had to stay in my room during Covid and see other jockeys winning on my horses how difficult that can be. I guess that is racing, but Ryan will come back and do what he does best and soon be winning all the biggest races, all the time.”
