It was fashion week in Paris where temperatures reached a sweltering 30 degrees. But as it turned out, the real supermodels during the first week-end of October were on the turf of Longchamp where the German filly, Danedream, beat the favorites in the Prix de l’Arc du Triomphe a surprise victory. So it was fitting that I two weeks later should interview horse whisperer, Monty Roberts,who originally got her father, Lomitas, out of the starting stalls to embark on an impressive career.  Getting a good start is always essential, and one of Monty’s favorite stories was about how he and his brother raced their donkey against some of the best horses  – and won.  At a 30 feet distance the donkey was always halfway before the horses got out of the stalls.  Meanwhile, on rue de Longchamp in Paris, my friend, Anette and her children were reading Fontaine’s Fables, La Tortue et le Lièvre, where the hare takes a nap and loses the race to a turtle. Surprises are always nice – and apart from a record five length victory, it would seem like Danedream won with her eyes closed!