Christophe Soumillon will become the retained jockey in France for the Aga Khan Studs under a two year contract beginning in 2014, the breeding and racing operation announced Sept. 2.
Soumillon had previously ridden as first jockey for His Highness the Aga Khan in France for eight years from 2002 to 2009, and was associated with many group I winners—notably unbeaten Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (Fra-I) winner Zarkava and champion Dalakhani.
The current retained Aga Khan jockey in France, Christophe Lemaire, will continue to ride the Aga Khan horses for the remainder of the 2013 season and could continue to ride for the Aga Khan on a case-by-case basis when circumstances require.
Lemaire has been the first jockey in France for His Highness the Aga Khan for the last four seasons and has ridden multiple group I winners, including Prix de Diane (Fra-I) winner Sarafina and last year's Yorkshire Oaks (Eng-I) winner Shareta.