ENGLISH TEXTS in my professional career where I needed to take the next step. Bloodlines and matings had always interested me. I had to go beyond training. It is true that I had the good fortune to work, as trainer of their horses, with great owner-breeders such as Pierre Wertheimer and Prince Aly Khan. These people instil their passion in you!” He signed that preface:“ Alec Head, jockey, trainer, but above all breeder.” Nothing more needs to be said.
An Enduring Legacy At the helm of Haras du Quesnay, Alec Head restored it completely, turning it into one of the pillars of modern French breeding. It is impossible to be exhaustive, but during his time the stud bred Prudent, Le Fabuleux, Bon Mot, Astec, Chaparral, Tennyson, Riverqueen, Durtal, Detroit, Harbour, Saint Cyrien, Ma Biche, Béring, Ravinella, First Waltz, Matiara, Fuissé, and the great Trêve, all Group 1 winners. On that basis alone, the achievement is immense. But it is further enhanced by the success of the stallions shaped by Alec Head— Lyphard and Riverman, whom he purchased as yearlings in England and the United States respectively for Wertheimer & Frère, and Anabaa among others. His vision was to introduce and develop American bloodlines in France, by bringing over the best male lines from abroad— those of Northern Dancer, Native Dancer, Nasrullah. French breeding was revitalised and enhanced by these influences, opening itself to new bloodlines and extracting their very best qualities. Alec Head passed away in June 2022, just short of his 100 th birthday. His legacy, without doubt, will endure.
CRIQUETTE:
“ HE WOULD LIFT HORSES OFF THE GROUND”
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Brother and sister by blood and by heart, once partners and rivals, Christiane and Freddy Head have both upheld the legend of an incredible dynasty in the Flat racing“ Hall of Fame.”“ Criquette,” the youngest, recounts this formidable and exceptional duo with boundless admiration.
GALORAMA. What words come to mind when Freddy is mentioned?
Christiane Head. An exceptional jockey, an exceptional trainer, an exceptional brother. With an extraordinary record. He is one year older than me. We grew up together. As a child, he already wanted to be a jockey. He did everything to achieve that. As for me, at the same time, as soon as I was old enough to speak, I wished to become a trainer. Horses have always been our thing, our passion. Our father Alec and our grandfather William helped us a great deal.
G. Have you always felt like the heirs of a dynasty?
C. H. A fantastic dynasty. Horses are in our genes. As children, we were already immersed in it. I loved going around the horses with our father in the evening, following him to the races, to the sales. He used to say to me:“ You don’ t speak, you watch.” Everything that was instilled in us made Freddy a true horseman. Being born into that world, after so many generations, is an undeniable advantage. It shapes a different eye. As a trainer, Freddy knew exactly what he was talking about. We were lucky to grow up in a wonderful environment and to handle good horses through very good clients, great loyal owners. When you train champions like Goldikova or Trêve, you naturally start with an advantage. Now, it’ s our turn to pass it on: Freddy is close to his children, Christopher worked two years with me, and I speak a lot with Victoria.
G. What memories do you keep of your brother in races?
C. H. I saw him at the height of his art. When he rode, he didn’ t use the whip much, rode very forward, and was very strong in his arms. So strong that he would lift horses off the ground. I remember his victory in the Prix Jacques Le Marois with Lyphard in 1972. He fought an English rider the whole race and won by a nose at the finish. A magnificent ride! When he rode for me, he would say:
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