Texas placed second in the French 2,000 Guineas
Everyone around Texas must have believed it! The colt from the Jeffroy stable did not let go until the end but, even if he did not crack, Modern Games had kept more underfoot for the last 200 meters. Henri-François Devin, his trainer, told us: “I thought for a moment that he was going to do it! I am very proud of the work done at the stable. It's a bit frustrating to be second in a classic, especially since it's already happened to us [with Physiocrate (Doctor Dino), second in Diane 2015,]. Texas is running very well and I'm thrilled with his performance. Yet, with this number in the stalls, it was nearly impossible. I'm not saying we could have made the winner hot with a better stall number, but he would have make less effort. Texas was very brave and a real fighter. He is an extraordinary horse. Besides, he’s gorgeous! I'm very lucky to have him in training. When he's good, he's able to deliver that shift. Three weeks before the Prix de Fontainebleau (Gr3), he was still at trotting. I knew he was going to get on his run. Today was the right one and we did not miss it. Clément Lecoeuvre is really an excellent jockey, I think he has a great career ahead of him. In the end, I was quite confident until the day of the string number draw... But Texas more than lived up to our expectations. In training, he was perfect. I don't think to run it in the Jockey Club. I will discuss it with his owners, I think he does not have enough staying power. We need it for this race. However, he could be directed to the Prix Jean Prat (Gr1). »
Benoit Jeffroy, co-owner and co-breeder of Texas, added: "It's great! Yesterday, we were talking with Henri-François Devin and we were thinking that he might be able to erase his string number thanks to his basic speed. And he succeeded. He made a lot of progress from the prep race and, this time, he did not crack to finish. 200m from the goal, we still believed he was going to do it! He leans a little to the left to finish... He may be paying for the effort he put in to come out on top. This second place is like a victory. We are still a small stable... Texas comes from a very lively family, which is only shining at the moment, especially with Just Beauty (Shalaa) and Tekao (Doctor Dino) [two 3-year-olds who won for their beginnings in recent weeks,]. For our structure, this is extraordinary. »
Texas was consigned by Haras de Castillon during the 2020 Arqana Select Sale.
