In the Guineas, Ramatuelle looks to capitalise on Parker's winning formula

Ahead of Ramatuelle's Sunday Qipco 1000 Guineas bid, Christopher Head has highlighted the positive influence of former NBA player Tony Parker's winning mindset.

The filly will have a special guest in her corner. Thierry Henry, the World Cup winner for French football, will be joining Parker's group on Sunday, and Head—who is descended from French racing royalty himself—is excited about the occasion.

"It's special to have Tony Parker in the circle. Having him around is truly enjoyable as he exudes a winning and sportsmanlike attitude. Like you, I'm eager to meet Thierry Henry. I love all sports," Henry declared. “Generally, what I love about being a trainer is that I have access to a lot of people who have had a lot of success in life and now they have horses. I have the privilege to talk to them to find out their ingredients to success.”

Parker is a part-owner of Ramatuelle, the Prix Robert Papin winner who will be racing this weekend for the first time over a mile, as well as a member of the Infinity 9 syndicate.

Henry said: “Tony has the team in mind and knows how to push the people around him for success. It was important for me to have advice from him, he’s an athlete and I’m training athletes. He always gives very good advice. Having Ramatuelle with him is something special.”

The trainer has demonstrated that the apple has not fallen far from the tree. Freddy, his father, was a champion jockey in the past and won the 1000 Guineas twice: in 1987, on the outstanding Miesque, and four years ago on Ma Biche, who was trained by Criquette. In French racing, his grandfather Alec is also a legendary figure.

Head has already experienced the excitement of a major race in the United Kingdom after Big Rock stunned everyone on Champions Day at Ascot. However, the owner later transferred all of his horses to another trainer.

“Winning in the UK is pretty much an objective for any French trainer because it is where horse racing is the most important. The atmosphere is amazing, I’ve never felt anything like it before when Big Rock won, that was something special. If I have the horse, I will come to the UK for sure with the right horse,” said Head.

“You can’t teach a horse how to race at Newmarket before getting there but it is OK because what we see in a morning, I have a feeling the beginning of the race is the most important and looking at her I think she will be (OK) there. I know she’s by Justify, but I don’t know how far she will stay for now. We will just concentrate on the mile as there is a nice programme and even for sprinters, whatever happens, there will be something for her but the Guineas is the main objective.”