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"Winning the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe": Tony Parker talks about horse racing, his new adventure

2021-06-19T15:40:12.923Z


A year ago, the former basketball star embarked on the horse racing adventure. Today, he talks to us exclusively about his series on his pa


His record, including four NBA titles under the San Antonio Spurs jersey, makes him the best French basketball player of all time. We also know Tony Parker, a young retiree from the prosecution, as president of Asvel or member of the Board of Directors of Olympique Lyonnais. His passion for horses is less well known. At 39, he told it in the first of six episodes of a series "The Big Bet", produced by Infinity Nine Horses, name of his team, and Equidia. The chain of races broadcasts this Saturday (9 pm) this first part, of which "TP" agreed to speak to us in preview.

“When I decided to embark on the horse racing adventure, one of my ideas was to film everything from the start, because I want to go further than just investing,” he explains. I met France Galop, PMU, all the major players in this universe, and each time, the desire to show a different image of racing came back to the discussions. One thing leading to another, we then thought of a TV series. "

We learn that Tony Parker has been fascinated by horses since his youth, to such an extent that a video game on the management of a stable was part of his daily life as a teenager.

Later, when his basketball career exploded in the United States, he nurtured this passion by traveling regularly to ranches in Texas.

"I was going to recharge my batteries, decompress there", confides "TP", forbidden to go up because of clauses linked to its contracts.

Tony Parker, with his partner Alizé Lim, with Best Win.

Infinity Nine Media

In this first episode, we also see him pushing the doors of the Sablonnets stud farm in Sarthe, where Best Win, his first purchase in the summer of 2020, was bred.

A few months ago, the former Orange Ball star turned down an offer that was five times the purchase price of her top-placed filly.

"My deputy president

(Editor's note: Clément Troprès who manages his team)

was not very happy, but the affect came into play. I am attached to it, it is she who made me win my first two races. .

Since then, I have progressed (

laughs

).

We sold our best colt (Best Sixteen) who had three wins.

Sometimes you have to part with horses to build an economic model that lasts over time or if you want to grow.

"

"Since I was little, I dreamed big"

He sees very high with his team whose colors (black and white bands) were chosen by his partner Alizé Lim, tennis player, in reference to Spurs and Asvel.

He clearly announces that he wants to win the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, one of the biggest equestrian events that takes place every year in autumn, at ParisLongchamp.

“In 10-15 years, yes,” he explains.

We start at the bottom so I don't want to burn my wings.

Now, I used to say:

when someone doesn't take you for a fool after telling them about your dream, it means that the dream is not big enough

.

And me, since I was little, I dreamed big!

"

Read also Charles Leclerc shares his passion for racing with Tony Parker

In the meantime, the latter will be present this Sunday at the Prix de Diane, another prestigious event, where he will intervene on Equidia which has made him its ambassador. "He will embody our brand, but above all carry horse racing," says Arnaud de Courcelles, general manager of the chain. Its community is very powerful and large. There is a will, on the side of PMU, France Galop and ours, to surf the notoriety of new players, like him or Antoine Griezmann. It's wonderful for the races! "

Source: leparis

All sports articles on 2021-06-19

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