NBA star Tony Parker enjoys first Group winner with Classic hope Mangoustine

French racing has for so long relied on its major owner/breeders to plough fortunes into the sport that any new entrant into the ownership ranks with even a modicum of public profile is seized upon with relish by both the sport's governing hierarchy and those whose livelihoods depend on new investment

France international striker Antoine Griezmann and former NBA star Tony Parker have huge public followings and so the outcome of Tuesday's Group 3 Prix Miesque at Chantilly might have plenty of importance going forward.

Parker's Mangoustine made it three wins from as many starts under Maxime Guyon in holding off Griezmann's Txope, with both looking live contenders for next season's fillies' Classics.

Tony Parker pictured at Longchamp in JuneCredit: Racing Post/Scott Burton

"I suppose I felt a bit of pressure because we've said publicly we feel she is a Group 1 filly so that meant she needed to win," said trainer Frederic Rossi. "I wanted to bring her back to 1,400 metres [seven furlongs] and I think 1,600 metres [a mile] will be her limit next season.

"Henri Bozo said to me she might be a good filly for Tony Parker and she was clearly very good when she arrived so we've thought a lot of her since last February. But you could see in the parade ring beforehand she still needs time and she will make a better three-year-old than a two-year-old."

Parker's Infinity Nine Horses silks have already been carried to Listed success by Zelda this autumn and Mangoustine - bred in partnership by Bozo's Ecurie des Monceaux, Trevor Harris' Lordship Stud and Qatar Racing - is the former San Antonio Spurs star's first Group winner.

Griezemann's colours have already been carried in a Classic, with Natsukashi having run in the Prix de Diane in June.

Egot downs strong British sprint challenge

Egot produced a fine turn of foot to turn away a sustained British-trained challenge in the Group 3 Prix Seine-et-Oise over six furlongs.

Godolphin's improving three-year-old son of Invincible Spirit was ridden slightly worse than midfield by Mickael Barzalona as Mo Celita and Air De Valse battled for the lead, before angling between the two for a cosy success, with last year's winner, the Tom Dascombe-trained Brad The Brief, running on well to be second.

"He has done nothing but progress both physically and mentally and he is maturing into a good sprinter, while his action at the finish there was very impressive," said Godolphin's Lisa-Jane Graffard.

Last year Brad The Brief had less than two lengths in hand over third-placed Air De Valse and despite finding Egot too good, he arguably improved on that effort, finishing four lengths clear of his old rival this time round.

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