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Article by Chris Pitt
Article by Chris Pitt
Yves Saint-Martin, one of the greatest riders in French racing history, was the darling of Parisian racegoers throughout the 1960s and 70s and was champion jockey fifteen times between 1960 and 1983. He also won all the five British classics at least once.
Yves Saint-Martin, one of the greatest riders in French racing history, was the darling of Parisian racegoers throughout the 1960s and 70s and was champion jockey fifteen times between 1960 and 1983. He also won all the five British classics at least once.
Yves Jean Saint-Martin was born in Angers on September 8, 1941. He was apprenticed to Francois Mathet at Chantilly but his career got off to an inauspicious start for he fell on his first ride in public at Soissons on April 20, 1958. However, three months later he rode his first winner when carrying the famous Volterra colours on Roylaic at Le Tremblay, in Paris, on July 26, 1958.
Yves Jean Saint-Martin was born in Angers on September 8, 1941. He was apprenticed to Francois Mathet at Chantilly but his career got off to an inauspicious start for he fell on his first ride in public at Soissons on April 20, 1958. However, three months later he rode his first winner when carrying the famous Volterra colours on Roylaic at Le Tremblay, in Paris, on July 26, 1958.
Yves Saint-Martin won a total of 3,314 races worldwide, of which 3,275 were in France. He won the Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby) a record nine times, the Poule d’Essai des Poulains (French 2,000 Guineas) five times, the Poule d’Essai des Pouliches (French 1,000 Guineas) seven times, the Prix de Diane (French Oaks) five times, and the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe four times, on Sassafras (1970), Allez France (1974), Akiyda (1982) and Sagace (1984). He won the French ‘Academie des sports’ award Prix Claude Foussier in 1971.
Yves Saint-Martin won a total of 3,314 races worldwide, of which 3,275 were in France. He won the Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby) a record nine times, the Poule d’Essai des Poulains (French 2,000 Guineas) five times, the Poule d’Essai des Pouliches (French 1,000 Guineas) seven times, the Prix de Diane (French Oaks) five times, and the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe four times, on Sassafras (1970), Allez France (1974), Akiyda (1982) and Sagace (1984). He won the French ‘Academie des sports’ award Prix Claude Foussier in 1971.
Yves Saint-Martin first attracted the British racing public’s attention in 1962 when winning the Oaks on Monade, the Coronation Cup on Dicta Drake, and the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes on Match II. He also rode Match II to victory in that year’s washing D.C. International at Laurel Park in Baltimore, Maryland, defeating both Carry Back and the great champion Kelso. The following year he won the Derby on Relko, the pair returning to Epsom in 1964 to win the Coronation Cup.
Yves Saint-Martin first attracted the British racing public’s attention in 1962 when winning the Oaks on Monade, the Coronation Cup on Dicta Drake, and the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes on Match II. He also rode Match II to victory in that year’s washing D.C. International at Laurel Park in Baltimore, Maryland, defeating both Carry Back and the great champion Kelso. The following year he won the Derby on Relko, the pair returning to Epsom in 1964 to win the Coronation Cup.
He won the 1971 1,000 Guineas on Altesse Royale and the 1974 2,000 Guineas on Nonoalco. Also in 1974 he landed Ireland’s biggest race, the Irish Derby, on English Prince and scored his second his second ‘Arc’ victory on Allez France.
He won the 1971 1,000 Guineas on Altesse Royale and the 1974 2,000 Guineas on Nonoalco. Also in 1974 he landed Ireland’s biggest race, the Irish Derby, on English Prince and scored his second his second ‘Arc’ victory on Allez France.
His most successful year in plundering top British races was in 1976 when he won 1,000 Guineas on Flying Water, the Oaks on Pawneese, the St Leger on Crow, the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes on Pawneese, and the Coronation Stakes on Kesar Queen. He also scored his most important success in Italy that year when winning the Gran Premio di Milano on Rouge Song.
His most successful year in plundering top British races was in 1976 when he won 1,000 Guineas on Flying Water, the Oaks on Pawneese, the St Leger on Crow, the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes on Pawneese, and the Coronation Stakes on Kesar Queen. He also scored his most important success in Italy that year when winning the Gran Premio di Milano on Rouge Song.
He rode his 3,000th winner when partnering Sonjan Gold to victory in the Prix Flying Fox at Saint-Cloud on April 24, 1984. Later that year he won his fourth Arc de Triomphe on Sagace and the Breeders’ Cup Turf on Lashkari at the inaugural Breeders’ Cup day at Hollywood Park.
He rode his 3,000th winner when partnering Sonjan Gold to victory in the Prix Flying Fox at Saint-Cloud on April 24, 1984. Later that year he won his fourth Arc de Triomphe on Sagace and the Breeders’ Cup Turf on Lashkari at the inaugural Breeders’ Cup day at Hollywood Park.
His most important victories in 1985 included the Prix du Jockey Club on Mouktar, the Poule d’Essai des Poulains on No Pass No Sale, plus the Grand Prix de Paris and Germany’s Preis von Europa, both on Sumayr.
His most important victories in 1985 included the Prix du Jockey Club on Mouktar, the Poule d’Essai des Poulains on No Pass No Sale, plus the Grand Prix de Paris and Germany’s Preis von Europa, both on Sumayr.
His last major success in Britain was the 1986 Nunthorpe Stakes on Last Tycoon. He also rode Last Tycoon to win that year’s Breeders’ Cup Mile at Santa Anita in California.
His last major success in Britain was the 1986 Nunthorpe Stakes on Last Tycoon. He also rode Last Tycoon to win that year’s Breeders’ Cup Mile at Santa Anita in California.
He had his final ride in Britain when finishing third on Saint Andrews in the Champion Stakes at Newmarket on October 17, 1987. He rode for the last time the following month when taking part in an international jockeys’ challenge day at Santa Anita.
He had his final ride in Britain when finishing third on Saint Andrews in the Champion Stakes at Newmarket on October 17, 1987. He rode for the last time the following month when taking part in an international jockeys’ challenge day at Santa Anita.
He rated the champion filly Allez France as the best he rode but considered his greatest moment to be when riding Sassafras to beat Nijinsky in the 1970 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.
He rated the champion filly Allez France as the best he rode but considered his greatest moment to be when riding Sassafras to beat Nijinsky in the 1970 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.
Retired, Yves Saint-Martin is an avid collector of vintage automobiles, owing classic models such as the Maserati, Ford Mustang, Rolls Royce, and Aston Martin. His son Eric also became a successful jockey, both in France and in Hong Kong. He achieved his biggest success when winning the 1993 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe on the mare Urban Sea.
Retired, Yves Saint-Martin is an avid collector of vintage automobiles, owing classic models such as the Maserati, Ford Mustang, Rolls Royce, and Aston Martin. His son Eric also became a successful jockey, both in France and in Hong Kong. He achieved his biggest success when winning the 1993 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe on the mare Urban Sea.
Yves Saint-Martin’s major wins in Britain and Ireland are as follows:
Yves Saint-Martin’s major wins in Britain and Ireland are as follows:
Irish Derby: English Prince (1974)
Irish Derby: English Prince (1974)
Hardwicke Stakes: Rheingold (1973), Montcontour (1978)
Hardwicke Stakes: Rheingold (1973), Montcontour (1978)
His major wins in France are as follows:
His major wins in France are as follows:
Poule d'Essai des Poulains: Adamastor (1962), Relko (1963), Zeddaan (1968), Melyno (1982), No Pass No Sale (1985)
Poule d'Essai des Poulains: Adamastor (1962), Relko (1963), Zeddaan (1968), Melyno (1982), No Pass No Sale (1985)
Poule d'Essai des Pouliches: Solitude (1961), La Sega (1962), Pola Bella (1968), Koblenza (1969), Allez France (1973), Madelia (1977), Masarika (1984)
Poule d'Essai des Pouliches: Solitude (1961), La Sega (1962), Pola Bella (1968), Koblenza (1969), Allez France (1973), Madelia (1977), Masarika (1984)
Prix du Jockey-Club: Reliance (1965), Nelcius (1966), Tapalque (1968), Sassafras (1970), Acamas (1978), Top Ville (1979), Darshaan (1984), Mouktar (1985), Natroun (1987)
Prix du Jockey-Club: Reliance (1965), Nelcius (1966), Tapalque (1968), Sassafras (1970), Acamas (1978), Top Ville (1979), Darshaan (1984), Mouktar (1985), Natroun (1987)
Prix de Diane: La Sega (1962), Rescousse (1972), Allez France (1973), Pawneese (1976), Madelia (1977)
Prix de Diane: La Sega (1962), Rescousse (1972), Allez France (1973), Pawneese (1976), Madelia (1977)
Prix de l'Abbaye: Fortino (1962), Texanita (1963), Silver Shark (1965), Farhana (1966), Lianga (1975)
Prix de l'Abbaye: Fortino (1962), Texanita (1963), Silver Shark (1965), Farhana (1966), Lianga (1975)
Prix Vermeille: Golden Girl (1963), Casaque Grise (1967), Saraca (1969), Allez France (1973), Paulista (1974), Sharaya (1983), Darara (1986)
Prix Vermeille: Golden Girl (1963), Casaque Grise (1967), Saraca (1969), Allez France (1973), Paulista (1974), Sharaya (1983), Darara (1986)
Prix Ganay: Relko (1964), Taj Dewan (1968), Rheingold (1973), Allez France (1974 & 1975), Sagace (1985)
Prix Ganay: Relko (1964), Taj Dewan (1968), Rheingold (1973), Allez France (1974 & 1975), Sagace (1985)
Critérium de Saint-Cloud: Fire Crest (1967), Rheffic (1970), Ribecourt (1973), Tarek (1977), Darshaan (1983), Mouktar (1984)
Critérium de Saint-Cloud: Fire Crest (1967), Rheffic (1970), Ribecourt (1973), Tarek (1977), Darshaan (1983), Mouktar (1984)
Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud: Relko (1964), Rheingold (1972 & 1973), Dahlia (1974), Shakapour (dead-heat 1980), Akarad (1981), Strawberry Road (1985)
Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud: Relko (1964), Rheingold (1972 & 1973), Dahlia (1974), Shakapour (dead-heat 1980), Akarad (1981), Strawberry Road (1985)
Prix d'Astarté: Breloque (1960), Tamouré (1965), Cover Girl (1966), Gay Style (1974), Carolina Moon (1976)
Prix d'Astarté: Breloque (1960), Tamouré (1965), Cover Girl (1966), Gay Style (1974), Carolina Moon (1976)
Prix d'Ispahan: La Sega (1962), Jour et Nuit (1964), Silver Shark (1966), Zeddaan (1968), La Troublerie (1973), Allez France (1974), Crystal Glitters (1983)
Prix d'Ispahan: La Sega (1962), Jour et Nuit (1964), Silver Shark (1966), Zeddaan (1968), La Troublerie (1973), Allez France (1974), Crystal Glitters (1983)
Prix Jean Prat: Jour et Nuit (1964), Silver Shark (1966), Antipode (1974), Earth Spirit (1976), Melyno (1982), Ginger Brink (1983)
Prix Jean Prat: Jour et Nuit (1964), Silver Shark (1966), Antipode (1974), Earth Spirit (1976), Melyno (1982), Ginger Brink (1983)
Prix Saint-Alary: Solitude (1961), La Sega (1962), Tonnera (1966), Saraca (1969), Madelia (1977), Grise Mine (1984)
Prix Saint-Alary: Solitude (1961), La Sega (1962), Tonnera (1966), Saraca (1969), Madelia (1977), Grise Mine (1984)
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