nicolas clÉment

TRAINER

Known to be the youngest trainer to ever have won the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, Nicolas Clément has trained over 1000 winners to date. Among them are close to forty group winners in France and abroad, including nine Group 1s. Over the last 30 years, Nicolas has regularly been among the leading trainers in France.

Being the son of renowned trainer Miguel Clément (Prix du Jockey Club in 1966 with NELCIUS) for Nicolas racing was bred in the bone. Initial grounding came through stints at the Haras de Clarbec in 1981 and Taylor Made Farm in Kentucky in 1982. Invaluable experience was further gained through spending time with John Gosden in California as a pupil assistant to overseeing the career of ROYAL HEROINE and then with the legendary Vincent O’Brien in Ireland. Before joining François Boutin (a leading trainer for many years in France), to become a Main Assistant, with the chance to be involved with MIESQUE multiple Group 1 champion.

The past has shown Nicolas to have a unique edge for spotting inexpensive talent, either through claiming races or buying at public auction. Group 1 winners and future stallions STYLE VENDOME, STORMY RIVER and VESPONE were bought at Arqana for 92,000 €, 60,000 € and 68,000 € respectively. FRENCH FIFTEEN, beaten only a neck by the great Camelot in the 2000 Guineas classic, was another bargain buy at 30,000 €. The prolific money-spinning Dolma was snapped up from a claimer before going on to win nearly 200,000 € and be sold in Tattersalls for 160,000 gns. In more recent times, the 2022 Group 3 winning MOON RAY was acquired for only 54,000€ as well as WONDERMENT was acquired for 60,000€ before winning the Group 1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud in 2018.