The Aga Khan Studs have confirmed that Christophe Soumillon will be their retained jockey in France from 2014, under a two year contract.

 Soumillon had previously ridden as first jockey for His Highness the Aga Khan in France for eight years from 2002 to 2009 and he was associated with many Group 1 winners notably unbeaten Arc winner, Zarkava and the champion racehorse, Dalakhani.

The current retained Aga Khan jockey in France, Christophe Lemaire, will continue to ride the Aga Khan horses for the remainder of the 2013 season. Lemaire has been the first jockey in France for His Highness the Aga Khan for the last four seasons and he has ridden multiple Group 1 winners including Prix de Diane winner, Sarafina and last year’s Yorkshire Oaks winner Shareta for His Highness and could continue to ride for the Aga Khan Studs on a case-by-case basis when circumstances require.