Saratoga Springs, NY (WRGB) — The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) has announced that the Grade 1, $750,000 Sword Dancer will be renamed the Christophe Clement Turf in 2026 to honor the late trainer Christophe Clement. Clement, who passed away in May at age 59 from metastatic uveal melanoma, won the Sword Dancer a record five times during his career.
Clement’s final Sword Dancer victory came with Far Bridge last year. His son, Miguel Clement, has since taken over training duties.
Valerie Clement, Christophe’s wife, expressed gratitude for the honor, she said,
On behalf of our entire Clement family, we would like to thank NYRA for this honor. It’s a race that meant a lot to Christophe and we know his spirit lives on through all of us. His love for the horses, his friendship with fellow trainers and owners, and his dedication for mentoring others are just a few things we miss daily in the sport without Christophe.
Clement’s career was marked by significant achievements, including training 2014 Belmont Stakes-winner Tonalist and dual Champion turf star Gio Ponti. He posted a lifetime record of 2,576 wins from 13,270 starts, with total purse earnings of $184,121,369. His legacy includes 41 Grade 1 wins and a Breeders’ Cup triumph with Pizza Bianca in 2021.
The Sword Dancer, a race Clement dominated since 1993, saw nine of his 13 starters win or place, with notable victories by Gufo in 2021 and 2022. Clement’s other Sword Dancer wins included Honor Glide in 1999 and Winchester in 2011.
Clement is survived by his wife Valerie and their children.