Starting in 2026, one of Saratoga’s most prestigious turf races will bear the name of the man who mastered it. The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) announced that the Grade 1, $750,000 Sword Dancer will be renamed the Christophe Clement Turf, paying tribute to the late trainer who claimed the event a record five times.

Clement’s final triumph in the race came just last year with Far Bridge, a victory that capped a lifetime of success on the grass. His career, which spanned more than three decades in New York, included training Tonalist—the 2014 Belmont Stakes winner—and dual Champion turf star Gio Ponti. Clement passed away in May at age 59 after a battle with metastatic uveal melanoma, a rare cancer of the eye.

Since his passing, his son and longtime assistant, Miguel Clement, has taken over the stable and will saddle LSU Stables’ Far Bridge in today’s 10th race at Saratoga as the defending Sword Dancer champion. Last year’s one-length, front-running score for Far Bridge was the penultimate Grade 1 win of Christophe’s storied career.

Clement’s impact on the Sword Dancer is unmatched. Since sending out his first starter in 1993, he has won the race with Honor Glide (1999), Winchester (2011), Gufo (2021, 2022), and Far Bridge (2023). He also sent out multiple placers, including Flag Down (3rd, 1996), Relaxed Gesture (2nd, 2005), and Soldier Rising (3rd, 2022; 2nd, 2023). In all, nine of his 13 starters either won or hit the board.

Away from the track, Clement is remembered by his wife Valerie—who runs the stable’s business operations and her own design firm—their daughter Charlotte, son Miguel, and three grandchildren. Charlotte is married to Shaun Collins, and they have a son, Hugo Christophe Clement Collins. Miguel is married to NYRA TV analyst Acacia Clement and celebrated his first win as head trainer on June 4 at Saratoga with Coach Case.

Valerie Clement expressed the family’s gratitude for the tribute:
“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. 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.”

Born in Paris, France, Clement’s career statistics reflect his consistency and class: 2,576 wins from 13,270 starts and total earnings of $184,121,369. He trained more than 20 millionaires, collected 41 Grade 1 victories, and earned his lone Breeders’ Cup win with Pizza Bianca in the 2021 Juvenile Fillies Turf at Del Mar. Remarkably, he won at least one graded stakes every year for 33 consecutive seasons, starting in 1992 with Passagere du Soir’s Grade 2 Gulfstream Park Budweiser Breeders’ Cup Handicap.