The GI Sword Dancer Stakes, won by El Cordobes (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) Saturday at Saratoga, will be run next year under a new name in honor of late trainer Christophe Clement, who passed away in May. The Breeders' Cup 'Win and You're In' event will be contested in 2026 as the GI Christophe Clement Turf, as announced by the New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) Saturday just prior to the 2025 running.
Clement won the race a record five times, including in 2024 with 'TDN Rising Star' Far Bridge (English Channel). That LSU Stables runner finished sixth in this year's running under Clement's trainer son, Miguel, who took over his father's stable.
“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,” said Valerie Clement, wife of the late trainer. “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. We look forward to cheering on some of the most talented horses annually and participating in this race. And, as Christophe reminded us regularly, we must live life to the fullest every single day.”
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