'I wasn't the best jockey who rode for Alec, but I have a lot of happy memories'

Gary Moore, the man who steered Alec Head's fourth and final winner of the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe Gold River to success, has recalled the enduring link between the two families.

The son of legendary Australian jockey George Moore, Gary and his elder brother John first travelled to France when their father rode under contract for Head and Prince Aly Khan in the late 1950s, and he owes a major part of his career success to the link.

After attending an international school during George Moore's time in France – his father partnered Saint Crespin to Arc glory in 1959 – Gary Moore returned to become apprentice to Head in 1967, and also rode as stable jockey to his daughter Criquette for three years between 1986 and 1988, during which time the yard's two greatest champions both ran in the Head family's ownership.

Alec Head first employed Gary Moore's father George as stable jockey in 1959, the year of Saint Crespin's ArcCredit: Edward Whitaker

"I've very fond members of the family and I rode my first winner for Alec's father, Willie Head, back in 1967," said Moore, now 70 and training in Sydney.

"As time went on we won the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, the Prix du Jockey Club and the 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket. It's very sad news.

"The first apprenticeship I had was with Alec in 1967 and I was then under contract to Criquette in 1986, '87 and '88. Bering and Ravinella were two very good horses.

"I thought Dad was a hard taskmaster but when I signed up with Mr Head, I couldn't separate them. I thought, 'Wow! I've got two of them now!'. They made you a better jockey but they were really tough to ride for."

Moore recalls the call he got from Alec Head ahead of his date with destiny at Longchamp in 1981, when champion stayer Gold River wore down the French Derby winner Bikala and 22 other rivals in attritional conditions.

"I was riding in Hong Kong for Dad at the time and I was going over to ride a filly for him in the Marcel Boussac [Albala, trained by John Fellows]," said Moore. "I got a telephone call from Mr Head when Freddy jumped off Gold River to ride Detroit for Mr Sangster in the Arc. Gold River had won the Cadran [over two and a half miles] that spring."

After being handed an unhelpful draw in stall 14 of 24, Moore gave Gold River a textbook Longchamp ride.

"I jumped slowly and then went straight across to the inside and then got a run right along the fence behind April Run," he said. "My brother-in-law [Philippe Pacquet on April Run] left the fence in the false straight and I got a dream run, which won me the race."

He added: "I rode two winners in Hong Kong on Saturday and won the Arc on Sunday. Then I fell off back in Hong Kong on Wednesday and broke my collarbone. That brought me down to earth.

Gary Moore: has paid tribute to Alec HeadCredit: Bradley Photographers

"I rode in the Arc numerous times and the Dancing Brave and Bering year was a fabulous race. Pat [Eddery] rode Dancing Brave brilliantly."

Head retired in 1984 but was still a real presence around his daughter Criquette's yard in the years of Bering – who ran in the colours of Ghislaine Head, Alec's wife – and Ravinella.

"Alec would come across from the Bahamas in March or April in those days and he was there with Criquette on his pony every morning," said Moore.

"Bering could win at a mile and a half but he had speed that meant he could probably have won over a mile and I remember Patrick Biancone put a sprinter in the Jockey Club and we ended up breaking the record.

Criquette Head with Ravinella after the filly's victory in the 1988 1,000 GuineasCredit: Phil Smith

"He was very talented and probably the best horse I rode. Ravinella was well up there as well as a filly to do the Guineas double in England and France for Ecurie Aland, which was a venture between Mr Head and Roland de Chambure."

Moore added self-deprecatingly: "I probably wasn't the best jockey who rode for Alec – he had George Moore, Neville Sellwood and Freddy Head – but I have a lot of happy memories."

Rothschild pays tribute on behalf of French racing

France Galop president Edouard de Rothshild has added his tribute after the death on Wednesday of Alec Head at the age of 97.

"For nearly 100 years, Alec Head has marked the history of racing, first as a jockey, then as a trainer for the sport's most prestigious owners, but also as a breeder of Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winners who were bred at his Haras de Quesnay in Normandy and as an owner of champions.

"We remember him for his pioneering spirit, his talent for exploring new projects, for being a man ahead of his time who always looked towards the future. He was incredibly daring and ambitious.

"His exceptional career has influenced several generations of racing professionals and enthusiasts. Alec Head inspired his children and grandchildren who today carry on the family tradition. To his family and to all those who loved and admired him, France Galop offers its sincere condolences."

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