Oisin Murphy set to ride Ramatuelle at the Royal Ascot... as he looks to bring success home for NBA legend Tony Parker

Oisin Murphy has landed the prized Royal Ascot ride on Ramatuelle, the flying French filly who on target to contest what is being described as the race of the year.

Ramatuelle is owned by a consortium that is headed by basketball legend Tony Parker. 

Murphy, a three-time champion jockey whose main role is first rider for Qatar Racing, has a link to the consortium and they want to utilise his expertise around Ascot in the Coronation Stakes next Friday.

Aurelien Lemaitre rode Ramatuelle when she was an unlucky loser in the QIPCO 1000 Guineas last month, with some criticising the fact he sent the filly to the front too soon. She eventually finished third, less than half-a-length behind Elmalka, the 28/1 winner.

Elmalka will run in the Coronation Stakes, as will Fallen Angel, who won the Irish 1000 Guineas, and Rouhiya, who took the French equivalent. Aidan O’Brien also intends to run Opera Singer, last season’s champion juvenile filly.

It is a race in which fine margins will be decisive and the recruitment of Murphy - who won the Coronation Stakes on Alcohol Free with a brilliant ride in 2021 - for this assignment is seen as crucial by Ramatuelle’s connections.

Trainer Christopher Head said: ‘The milers are something incredible when they are good - they have charisma, they have personality. 

'Ramatuelle has got something about her, trust me. For me, this is going to be the race of the year. All the things she has given to us, it would be justice for her to win a Group One.’