Soumillon ruled out of HKIR over Covid testing irregularities
Christophe Soumillon will miss his rides in Sunday’s valuable Hong Kong International Races after it emerged the star rider needs to undergo further Covid-19 testing before being cleared to leave quarantine.
Unlike the European jockeys who are in a ‘racing bubble’ having competed in Wednesday night’s International Jockeys’ Championship at Happy Valley, Soumillon, who has been granted a licence to ride in Hong Kong until February 14, chose to complete the standard 14-day quarantine all arrivals need to undertake before entering the community.
Despite clearing five tests before his arrival in Hong Kong on November 26, Soumillon, who was due to have nine rides on Sunday’s card, will instead watch from the sidelines after failing to satisfy the strict regulations in place.
Last night’s shock news was a further Covid-related setback for Soumillon who missed the winning rides on Order Of Australia (Australia) and Tarnawa (Shamardal) at last month’s Breeders’ Cup meeting in Keeneland after returning a positive test.
“The Hong Kong Jockey Club has been informed by jockey Christophe Soumillon that he has been requested by the department of health to undergo further Covid-19 tests,” the club said in a statement.
“It is unknown at this stage when the testing will be completed and when Soumillon will be released from quarantine.
“Despite having cleared his initial Covid-19 test on his arrival, he has yet to receive an unconditional release from quarantine in order to ride on this coming Sunday.
“The club has taken advice from its chief medical officer. Given these circumstances the stewards have decided to stand him down from Sunday’s riding engagements.”
The 39-year-old was due to again partner Japan’s defending champion Admire Mars (Daiwa Major) in the Hong Kong Mile (Gr 1, 1600m), a race he also won in 2008 on board Good Ba Ba (Lear Fan).
Soumillon’s other booked rides in the feature races were on board compatriot Normcore (Harbinger) in the Hong Kong Cup (Gr 1, 2000m), the locally-trained Computer Patch (Exceed And Excel) in the Hong Kong Sprint (Gr 1, 1200m) and outsider Ho Ho Khan (Makfi) in the Hong Kong Vase (Gr 1, 2400m).
Replacement riders are yet to be confirmed.