Claude Duval legend, including claims of alchemy, gambling, and much womanising. He is reported to haunt the Holt Hotel along the A4260 (Oxford Road) in Oxfordshire, a hotel where he spent many nights when it was a small coaching inn. Recent historians have reappraised the legacy of Duval. James Sharpe in "Dick Turpin" regarded Duval as the most significant figure in the shaping of the highwayman myth. John and Philip Sugden's "The Thief of Hearts" reconstructs what is known of the historical Duval, using much fresh evidence, and shows that the traditions about the Frenchman were used by such literary luminaries as
Dick Turpin (horse) Cityscape on the line, and won by a short head. Dick Turpin ended his track career in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot in October in which he came home fifth behind Frankel, Excelebration, Immortal Verse and Dubawi Gold. In the 2011 World Thoroughbred Rankings Dick Turpin was given a rating of 122 making him the twenty-third best racehore in the world. Dick Turpin was retired from racing to become a breeding stallion at the National Stud. The best of his offspring have included Vintage Brut (National Stakes), Rockingham Stakes) and Billesdon Bess (Upavon Fillies' Stakes). Dick Turpin (horse)