I Found someone shorter than GPK

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Jockey Christophe Soumillon sacked by Aga Khan after 'small' jibe
The Aga Khan is to split with jockey Christophe Soumillon after the Belgian allegedly made comments about a trainer's height.

By Rod Gilmour
Published: 11:01AM BST 26 Aug 2009

Previous1 of 2 ImagesNext Jibe: Christophe Soumillon said Andre Fabre (right) was 'small' Photo: PA
Severed ties: Christophe Soumillon has split with Aga Khan Photo: PA
Soumillon will no longer be first choice to ride the powerful owner's horses in France from the end of this season's Flat campaign.

Since 2002, the Belgian pilot has ridden 12 Group One winners for the owner and their partnership culminated last season with Zarkava's success in the Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe. Zarkava retired to stud last October.


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Cartier Awards: Sea The Stars leads According to the Racing Post, the split comes after the rider was criticised for comments he made about trainer Andre Fabre at a charity event in Deauville last weekend.

He said he was happy that Alain de Royer-Dupre, Zarkava's handler, had become champion trainer, and was said to have added of Fabre: "He's so small you can hardly see him."

A statement issued by the Aga Khan Studs said: "The separation has been agreed on amicable terms and Christophe Soumillon will ride out his contract for the rest of ther 2009 season."

It cited difficult personal relations between the organisation and the rider as a major reason and added that no one had been appointed as his replacement.

In January last year the Aga Khan and Fabre ended a three-year association which led to around 30 horses leaving the trainer's yard after an "operational disagreement".