Live Controversy: Whoopi Goldberg Causes Uproar After Her Comments on Christophe Soumillon

The world of horse racing and the media was rocked this week by an unexpected controversy. Appearing on a live show, outspoken American actress and host Whoopi Goldberg uttered a phrase that immediately sparked controversy: “He’s just an old jockey on the decline.”

These words, addressed to Christophe Soumillon, a multiple champion and true racetrack legend, shocked not only the spectators in the studio, but also racing fans around the world. According to witnesses, the atmosphere quickly became tense. Murmurs spread through the audience, some booed, and an altercation even broke out between spectators, forcing the intervention of security.

Goldberg, true to her reputation as a straightforward and sometimes provocative host, showed no particular emotion. She continued the show as if nothing had happened, ignoring the shockwaves triggered by her words. But the controversy didn’t stop at the studio walls.

Barely ten minutes after the show ended, Christophe Soumillon reacted on his social media. In just ten words, he posted a comment that turned the tables: “Respect never gets old, even if men do.”

This brief but incisive response was enough to set the internet ablaze. Within hours, thousands of messages of support poured in from fans, fellow jockeys, and sports figures. Many praised Soumillon’s dignity and grace in the face of an attack deemed unfair and uncalled for.

On Twitter and Instagram, the hashtags #RespectSoumillon and #WhoopiGate quickly trended. Some users called for a public apology from Goldberg, while others recalled the immense career of the Belgian jockey, winner of multiple Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and a key ambassador for French racing.

Horse racing experts also weighed in. “Christophe Soumillon is one of the greatest jockeys of his generation, if not of history. Reducing his legacy to a caricature of ‘old age’ is an insult to decades of hard work, discipline, and success,” said a Paris-Turf columnist .

So far, Whoopi Goldberg has not yet issued an official response. However, sources close to the production suggest a statement may be issued in the coming days, given the scale of the controversy.

Regardless, this episode highlighted the fragile line between humor, criticism, and disrespect. And it reminded everyone that sports legends, even in their later years, deserve public recognition and gratitude.