ENGLISH TEXTS
go two days before the race. But when it was in the United States, we stayed around ten days, which gave us time to discover a different way of training. Everything takes place on the racecourse in the U. S. It was fantastic to work her at Santa Anita and Churchill Downs. Europeans go out at the same time, do their work, and as soon as it’ s finished, they have to leave the track because everything follows one after another. It’ s very precise, very American. We went there to win the biggest races in the world, it was quite exciting. Each year, her owners kept her in training, which allowed us to experience all of this.
G. Did she give you any scares during those trips?
T. B. Goldikova had been afraid to enter the starting stalls since the Prix du Moulin de Longchamp at the end of her three-yearold season. That day, she had an inside draw and shied away when the gates opened. A few weeks later, for her first start in the United States, she began to rear a little in front of the stalls at Santa Anita Park, which was worrying because Americans are less patient than in France. But since the stalls are wider there, she was able to go in. At Churchill Downs, Goldikova was so alert that she hesitated before entering the paddock. As soon as she noticed something unusual, you had to be wary, as she could have done something silly. Once she had her bearings, it was fine.
Goldikova became the first horse in the world to win three Breeders’ Cups. I could feel that enthusiasm. She left the stage to applause in her final race at Churchill Downs, just as she had been applauded in England and France throughout her career. She no longer had the same turn of foot in her final races, but she retired to stud in good shape and in good health, that was the main thing.
DAVID SMAGA:
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“ WE QUICKLY BECAME VERY CLOSE FRIENDS”
Between Freddy Head and David Smaga, it’ s a long-standing friendship dating back to the 1970s, one that goes far beyond racing. A bond that the latter recalls with his characteristic humor and easygoing manner.
G. You and Freddy Head have been friends for half a century …
David Smaga. Yes, Freddy was already Champion Jockey and I was just starting out in the business. I was Maurice Zilber’ s assistant when he won the 1976 Jockey Club with Youth. We quickly became very close friends. Every morning, we would have coffee together. In the evening, we liked meeting up for dinner. We won many races together, regularly went on holiday …
G. How would you describe him as a friend?
D. S. I adore him! Besides being talented, his greatest quality is his intelligence. And he’ s also very hardworking. He didn’ t just show up whistling. He had a real discipline in his lifestyle. That didn’ t stop him from occasionally letting loose or being funny. With me, he could relax( laughs).
G. His daughter Victoria suggests you might have quite a few stories in reserve …
D. S. Come on, I’ ve got a funny one. It’ s old, goes back to Évry: he was riding a horse for me drawn 19 at the rail. It was the end of the year, everyone was going wide, but I decided on a new tactic. I told him:“ You’ ll hold back and dive to the rail.” He replied:“ You’ re crazy!” I said:“ If you lose, you’ ll say it’ s the trainer’ s fault.” He took the rail and won by 100 meters, raising his arms as if he had just won the Arc. In the jockeys’ room, he threw down his saddle and said:“ Another one to show in schools.” That’ s Freddy all over( laughs).
G. Alec Head was your godfather: did you see much of Freddy in him?
D. S. Physically, they already looked alike( laughs). They both had an eye for detail, great perception, and a passion for breeding— qualities that run through the Head family. I always called Alec Head“ Monsieur” and addressed him formally. He inspired deep respect in me.
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