Txope

What better accompaniment to a global fashion business, Parisian hotel and fabulous art collection than a Thoroughbred stud farm? Nothing, right? This was apparently the conclusion reached by Thierry Gillier, the founder of the uber-cool Zadig & Voltaire label, whose appropriation of the nom de plume of the celebrated French writer for his fashion brand has now been extended to his own nom de course at Haras Voltaire.  Just last week, Gun Of Brixton (Fr) (Frankel {GB}) became the latest graduate of the Normandy farm to advertise this burgeoning breeding...

There is plenty to play for in Saturday's 142nd running of the $600,000 GI Alabama S. at Saratoga, where Nest (Curlin) and Secret Oath (Arrogate) face one another for the third time head-to-head--each with one victory to their credit--with divisional supremacy awaiting the winner. An 8 1/4-length tour-de-force tally in Keeneland's GI Central Bank Ashland S. accorded Nest the role of favoritism in the GI Longines Kentucky Oaks, but she was no match for the somewhat forgotten Secret Oath, dropping a two-length decision. A meritorious second to stablemate Mo Donegal...

It has been a fascinating subplot to the Flat season, international sports people having their colours carried to big-race victories and, less than a month after former NBA star Tony Parker landed French 1,000 Guineas glory with Mangoustine (Fr) (Dark Angel {Ire}), the Atlético Madrid and French international striker Antoine Griezmann secured victory in the German equivalent with Txope (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}). Trained by Philippe Decouz, Txope, which is the nickname Griezmann gave his wife, ran out a convincing winner for the World Cup-winning soccer player at Dusseldorf racecourse on...