THE AGA Khan is to split with retained jockey Christophe Soumillon. Soumillon will be unable to ride the powerful owner’s horses in France from the end of the 2009 Flat campaign.

A statement posted on www.agakhanstuds.com read: “After eight years under contract as the first rider in France, it has been decided as human relations have become difficult and after mutual agreement, that his contract will not be renewed for 2010.

“This separation has been agreed on amicable terms and Christophe Soumillon will ride out his contract for the rest of the 2009 season, and he could well be retained in the future to ride Aga Khan horses.”

Soumillon, the three-time French champion jockey, has over the last eight years enjoyed many landmark victories sporting the Aga Khan’s famous green and red silks.

Dalakhani provided the rider with four triumphs at the highest level, while Soumillon was at the helm for each of Zarkava’s seven victories.

Alain de Royer-Dupre’s unbeaten filly won five Group One races, including the 2008 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, before she was retired to stud last year.

The statement continued: “The Aga Khan Studs will make public their future riding arrangements when they have been finalised.

“Over the last eight years, the Aga Khan Studs and Christophe Soumillon have enjoyed many successes at the top level, including four Group One wins with Dalakhani and five Group One wins with the unbeaten Zarkava in 2008.

“The Aga Khan Studs would like to take this opportunity to thank Christophe Soumillon for their successful association since 2002.”

-Balthazaar's Gift is being geared up to tackle a mile for the first time in a bid to land his first Group One success. Trainer Clive Cox will look at the Prix du Moulin at Longchamp on September 6th for the six-year-old entire.