The ex-Arsenal and Premier League great will be among the celebrity entourage following France's Ramatuelle in the fillies’ Classic on Sunday
12:28, 02 May 2024Updated 12:49, 02 May 2024
Thierry Henry will be supporting France when he makes a surprise appearance at Newmarket on Sunday.
The ex-Arsenal and Premier League great will be part of the entourage following 10-1 chance Ramatuelle in the £500,000 Qipco 1,000 Guineas, the second of the year's five Classics.
Ramatuelle, trained by Christopher Head, won three of her five starts last year up to Group 2 level for an ownership run by former basketball star Tony Parker. Parker enjoyed an 18-year career playing on the NBA circuit in the US, winning four championships with the San Antonio Spurs.
The son of a US basketball player who moved to Europe, he was born in Belgium and raised in France where his numerous business interests since he retired in 2019 include the Infinity 9 racehorse stable, in which he is the major stakeholder.
READ MORE: 2,000 Guineas tips: Runners guide, odds and 1-2-3 for first Classic of the yearREAD MORE: Galopin Des Champs stunned again in Cheltenham and Punchestown Gold Cup double bidHis mission is to use his celebrity to raise awareness of horse racing in France. His colours have already been carried to success in the French 1,000 Guineas and now he takes a shot at Britain’s version.
“Having Tony Parker in the circle is something special,” said Head. “The idea he has from his sportsman attitude, his winning attitude, all this is helping a lot, and it is really a pleasure to have him around.
“I can’t wait to meet Thierry Henry too. It’s going to be something.”
Head’s family is steeped in Guineas history. His father Freddie, grandfather Alec and aunt Criquette all won the 1,000 Guineas during their careers.
“I think it is big shoes to fill but it comes with a lot of advantage,” said Chrisopher Head, “I don’t care about the disadvantages that could get in the middle.
“It’s important to still have your personality as a trainer. I am not training like my father, nor my aunt nor my grandfather.
“When you have a name like mine, it was important for me to be at that level in terms of the heritage, from what they taught me from the beginning. We’ve been trying to hit that expectation. I hope that I am not going to make a black mark on the family.”