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The remarkable facts and figures behind Alec Head's achievements in racing

Peter O'Sullevan Annual Award 2014 at the Dorchester Hotel London 27/11/14Winners L-R Freddy Head, Geoffrey Hugh, Alec Head, and Czquette Head-Maarek.Picture David Ashdown.
Alec Head: four-time champion trainer in France and eight-time Arc winnerCredit: David Ashdown

Full name Jacques-Alexandre Head

Born July 31, 1924

Family Father: Willie Head (trainer of Le Paillon, Bon Mot). Wife: Ghislaine (nee van de Poele, married 1945). Children: Freddy (champion jockey 6 times, trainer of Goldikova), Criquette (champion trainer 1986), Patricia, Martine

Best winners as jump jockey Vatelys (1946 Grande Course de Haies de Printemps, Grande Course de Haies d'Auteuil, Grand Prix d'Automne), Meli Melo (1946 Prix James Hennessy), Le Paillon (1946 Prix Auguste du Bos; also 2nd, 1947 Champion Hurdle)

Best winner as Flat jockey Obelisque (1946 Grand Prix de Groenendael)

First winner as trainer Sarabry over fences at Auteuil, November 1, 1947

Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winners as trainer Nuccio (1952), Saint Crespin (1959), Ivanjica (1976), Gold River (1981)

King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner Vimy (1955)

Derby winner Lavandin (1956)

Other British Classic winners Rose Royale (1957 1,000 Guineas – also trained runner-up Sensualita), Taboun (1959 2,000 Guineas)

Grand Prix de Paris winner Charlottesville (1960)

Prix du Jockey Club winners Charlottesville (1960), Roi Lear (1973), Val De L'Orne (1975)

Prix de Diane winners Pistol Packer (1971), Reine De Saba (1978)

Other French Classic winners Buisson Ardent (1956 Poule d'Essai des Poulains), Toro (1957 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches), Yla (1958 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches), Ginetta (1959 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches), Bourbon (1971 Prix Royal-Oak), Riverman (1972 Poule d'Essai des Poulains), Green Dancer (1975 Poule d'Essai des Poulains), Ivanjica (1975 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches), Red Lord (1976 Poule d'Essai des Poulains), Dancing Maid (1978 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches), Gold River (1980 Prix Royal-Oak)

Irish Classic winners Pederoba (1956 Irish 1,000 Guineas), Ommeyad (1957 Irish St Leger), Butiaba (1958 Irish 1,000 Guineas), Amante (1958 Irish Oaks), Fiorentina (1959 Irish 1,000 Guineas)

Coronation Cup winner Nuccio (1952)

Ascot Gold Cup winner Sheshoon (1960)

Eclipse Stakes winner Saint Crespin (1959)

Sussex Stakes winner Venture (1960)

Queen Elizabeth II Stakes winners Hafiz (1955), Midget (1957)

Champion Stakes winners Hafiz (1955), Rose Royale (1957)

Prix du Cadran winners Azincourt (1964), Gold River (1981)

Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud winners Chingacgook (1955), Sheshoon (1960), Gay Mecene (1979)

Prix Jacques le Marois winners Buisson Ardent (1956), Sallymount (1959), Lyphard (1972)

Prix Vermeille winners Kilette (1950), Pistol Packer (1971), Ivanjica (1975), Dancing Maid (1978)

Prix du Moulin winners Rose Royale (1957), Ginetta (1959)

Grand Criterium winner Satingo (1972)

Champion sprinter Palariva (1956 King's Stand Stakes)

Champion juveniles Opaline (1960 Cheveley Park Stakes), Targowice (1972 Prix Thomas Bryon)

Best horses as trainer (Timeform ratings) Hafiz (136), Charlottesville (135), Nuccio (133), Pistol Packer (133), Vimy (132), Saint Crespin (132), Sheshoon (132), Lyphard (132), Green Dancer (132), Ivanjica (132), Gold River (132)

Champion trainer in France (based on number of wins) 4 times 1952, 1953, 1954, 1955 (joint)

Stud Haras du Quesnay, Deauville, Normandy (purchased 1958)

Best winners as both breeder and owner Riverqueen (1976 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches, Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud), Harbour (1982 Prix de Diane), Saint Cyrien (1982 Grand Criterium), Silvermine (1985 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches), Bering (1986 Prix du Jockey Club), Ravinella (1988 1,000 Guineas, Poule d'Essai des Pouliches), Sillery (1991 Prix Jean Prat), Matiara (1995 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches), Rouvres (2002 Prix Jean Prat), Dedication (2002 Prix de la Foret), Fuisse (2010 Prix du Moulin), Treve (2013 Prix de Diane)

Best winners as breeder Beaugency (1970 Gran Premio di Milano), Bellypha (sire of Silvermine), Detroit (1980 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe), Treve (2013 Prix Vermeille, Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, 2014 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, 2015 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud, Prix Vermeille)

Best winners as owner Pistol Packer (1971 Prix de Diane, Prix Vermeille), Sigy (1978 Prix de l'Abbaye), Three Troikas (1979 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches, Prix Vermeille, Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe), Lydian (1981 Gran Premio di Milano), Ma Biche (1982 Cheveley Park Stakes), Anabaa (champion sprinter 1996)

Total Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe wins 8 – 4 as trainer (Nuccio, Saint Crespin, Ivanjica, Gold River), 3 as breeder (Detroit, Treve 2), 1 as owner (Three Troikas)

Compiled by John Randall


Read more on Alec Head:

French racing great and multiple Arc winner Alec Head dies at the age of 97

Alec Head obituary: a giant of modern racing and father and mentor to more French greats

Published on 22 June 2022inFrance

Last updated 18:06, 22 June 2022

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