On the back of the news that Christophe Soumillon has been signed up to ride one of the most exciting flat horses in training, Dabirsim, the first thought that runs through my head is, has he finally matured.
He first became a household name to racing fans by sweeping through the 2003 flat season, with his first Arc on Dalakhani and numerous group one's, including more on Dalakhani and a Racing post trophy on American Post, but became more famous for his in his next prosperous year, 2006, for his celebration when winning the King George and Queen Elizabeth diamond stakes on Hurricane Run. He also shone on Shirocco in the Coronation Cup that year, but had a constant cloud over his temperament and attitude.
Personally, I feel his change of codes to ride a Grade 1 jumps winner in 2010 was a kickback at all of his doubters that he has built up, rightly or wrongly, over the years previous to that. Personally, I feel the growing presence and popularity he has incurred in Dubai has helped hugely change his image, as almost a 'celebrity' in Dubai, riding numerous winners for South African maestro Mike De Kock, who also looks to have had a positive influence.
And with that image, comes responsibility by a lot of his home trainers after the bad-boy Belgian has become a mellow, mature and very very reliable big race jockey
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