WHEN Brian Asmussen changed his name by deed poll to Cash, there could not have been a more appropriate step taken by the then little known American jockey.
For Cash Asmussen is now one of the best money riders in the world, and today at Chantilly he attempts to maintain his astounding record in French Classics this season with victory in the Prix Diane Hermes (French Oaks).
Asmussen will be aboard the Stavros Niarchos-owned Aube Indienne, a promising filly trained by Criquette Head. For the first time this season, Asmussen breaks his association with Francois Boutin in a French Classic.
Remarkably, Asmussen and Boutin have already registered glorious victories in the French 2,000 Guineas, French 1,000 Guineas with Madeleine's Dream and the French Derby with Hernando. Boutin, who has been gravely ill with cancer, will be relying on his wife Lucy's filly Accommodating.
There is no more confident jockey in post-race interviews than Asmussen, who takes questions - and provides rapid-fire answers - in both French and English, often answering in both languages for the ease of reporters.
Frequently, if the right question has not been asked, in Cash's view, he will ask it himself and then provide a detailed reply.
No PR men are needed when this Texan is around, and there are few as competent and accomplished in the saddle in France these days or anywhere else for that matter. His prowess on Parisian tracks is now bordering on the legendary.