Nicolas Clement

Nicolas is no stranger to the world of horse racing, Nicolas' father, Miguel, was a leading trainer in France and Nicolas grew up in the business, exercising horses for his father. His brother, Christophe, is also a successful trainer in America winning his first group race (the Grade 2 Gulfstream Park Breeders’ Cup) with Passagere du Soir.

Nicolas' Racing Experience:

Nicolas’ first job away from the family stable in 1982 was as a stud trainee at Haras de Clarbec (Deauville France) with Mr Olivier Nicol. After a year Nicolas left France to go to America where he prepared yearlings at Taylor Made farm, Kentucky, and was in charge of a 24 yearlings barn.

Nicolas then became a pupil assistant with John Gosden in California when Royal Heroine won the Breeder's cup mile.

In 1985 it was back to Europe as a pupil assistant at Ballydoyle with Dr M.V O'Brien when the stable won the Irish Derby with Law Society, the National Stakes with Tate Gallery and Irish St Leger with Leading Counsel.

From 1986 to Sept 1988 Nicolas returned to France and was the main assistant to Mr Francois Boutin with 220 horses. Francois Boutin was the leading French trainer for 8 years and Nicolas experienced the success of Miesque, who was the dual breeder's cup mile winner as well as 1000 guineas winner, Baillamont, Tersa, and Blushing John.

Nicolas took out his own license in Oct 1988 and trains from his Father’s old stable He has over 50 horses in training and is regularly in the top 15 with over 480 winners to date and has earned more than €14 millions.

Main winners:

5 Group 1 wins:
1990 Saumarez, Arc de Triomphe (youngest trainer to win this race) and Grand prix de Paris. Saumarez was the 1990 horse of the year.

1993 Le Balafré, Prix Jean Prat, 2003 Vespone ,Prix Jean Prat and Grand prix de Paris, champion 3 years old over middle distance.

4 Group 2 wins:
1991 Dream Talk (Gr2 win in Italy and Germany), 1998 Kabool (prix Guillaume d'Ornano)

1998 Pozarica (prix Hubert de Chaudenay)

Also, 12 Group 3 and 36 listed races, a total of 57 wins in graded or regular stakes, mainly in France but also in USA (group 3 with Heaven's command, and Mister Sicy),

Other Group winners
Germany (group 2), Switzerland (Oaks), Austria (Derby), Italy (group 2 and 3).

Nicolas has a good record at claiming horses and improving them :Dolma (2 listed wins, group 1 placed), Megahertz (Gr1 in America), Le Roi Chic (listed winner)

Horses bought at public auction or horses bought privately included Vespone, Saumarez and 22 group or listed winners.

Nicolas is very approachable and trains for every type of owner. He has owners from around the globe and always ensures that you are well informed and encourages you to visit the stables and to watch your horse on the gallops.

Nicolas has trained for the following, The Niarchos family, Godolphin, Lady O'Reilly, Bruce McNall, Marquise de Moratalla, Maktoum al Maktoum, Sheikh Mohamed, Edouard de Rotschild, Comtesse Rossi, Jean Claude Seroul. Hong Kong owners include Alan Li, Michael H.Wang, Franck Chao.

Although these names are the leading owners in Europe, USA and the Far East, Nicolas is just as happy to train for an owner that wants to have fun in claiming or handicap races.

There have been a number of top apprentices that have worked for Nicolas such as Olivier Peslier, Christophe lemaire, Davy Bonilla, Cyril Brechon, Jean Bernard Eyquem.

Nicolas is fluent in English and is comfortable with Spanish.