ENGLISH TEXTS
and Questembert— were doubly honoured last year, both by racing professionals and by fellow volunteers.
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Video 13 min chez vous Coming from a family in the textile business, Marcel Boussac built his fortune after World War I by transforming airplane canvas into blouses, shirts, and eventually pajamas. Encouraged by friends Gaston de Castelbajac and Edmond Blanc, the man who would become known as the“ cotton king” entered the horse racing world and acquired the Haras de Fresnay-le- Buffard in 1919. His orange silks and grey cap quickly became dominant on racetracks, carried by champions such as Corrida, Djebel, Pharis, and Esmeralda, who led the international scene from the 1920s through the 1950s. He holds the record for most wins in the Prix du Jockey Club with 12 victories between 1922 and 1978, and was named leading owner 19 times and leading breeder 17 times. After World War II, he co-founded the House of Dior with Christian Dior on October 8, 1946. Dior, the man behind the“ New Look,” experienced such instant success that it enabled Boussac to expand his empire to the Saint-Cloud racecourse, the Haras de Jardy, and other equestrian ventures. Françoise Giroud wrote:“ Unknown on February 12, Christian Dior was world-famous by February 13.” His secret?“ I drew women as flowers— with soft shoulders, full busts, waists as slender as vines, and skirts as wide as corollas.” A shrewd businessman, Marcel Boussac was also behind the first licensing deals under the Christian Dior name, including a perfume company founded in 1947. A legendary figure in French horse breeding, he is honored each year at ParisLongchamp during the famed Qatar Prix de l’ Arc de Triomphe weekend, through the Prix Marcel Boussac race.
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By Serge Okey
STH-HIPAVIA KEEPS OVER A MILLION HORSES ON THE MOVE
From its base in Chantilly, the company transports over a million horses by road across France and Europe, and more than 100,000 horses by air worldwide. A true travel agency, sea transport included, dedicated to man’ s noblest conquest, and one that GA-
LORAMA had the pleasure of meeting on the occasion of a joint sponsorship of the Grandes Écoles Championship.
Dubai, Ascot, Stockholm, the Emirates … About forty countries, around fifty destinations worldwide, not including Europe. STH Hipavia’ s activity knows no borders. Whether for racehorses, breeding, endurance, or sport horses, this company based in Lamorlaye, at the very heart of French flat racing, ensures point-to-point transport while managing the entire process from A to Z. Headed by Véronique de Moussac, the company was born from the 1994 merger of STH( Société de Transport Hippique), founded in 1922, and Hipavia, an air transport specialist founded in 1951. With a team of around forty professionals and a fleet of 36 vehicles ranging from 2 to 17 stalls, it proudly positions itself as the“ national leader” in horse transport. The figures speak for themselves:“ Over one million horses transported by road across France and Europe, and over 100,000 by air worldwide.”
“ Like a Travel Agency” Highly flexible, the company offers group travel solutions for“ all destinations” or bespoke, tailor-made services“ à la carte,” from departure to arrival. A wide range of possibilities makes it operate“ like a travel agency for horses and the people who accompany them.” In terms of breeding, weekly shuttles
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