By Barry Weisbord
With the passing of Michel Henochsberg, the world of Thoroughbred racing has lost a great citizen. I have lost a most special friend.
We shared a friendship for over 35 years, which centered on our love of Thoroughbred activities, but was deepened by our mutual enjoyment of sports, current events, art, theatre, fine dining, and his Ph.D. discipline–economics–from which his nickname “the professor” emanated.
His insatiable intellectual curiosity made it impossible to share a meal with Michel and not come away having discussed and learned something new.
Roland de Chambure, whom I knew through my Lexington mentor Johnny Jones Jr., introduced me to Michel. It wasn't long after that introduction, despite the fact that he was only a few years my senior, that Michel became my “professor” on all things regarding the French and European Thoroughbred business. I was neophyte, but under his kind tutelage, I was
introduced to the leading owners, breeders and trainers through our visits to Longchamp, Chantilly, Deauville, and Tattersalls.
Michel's infectious enthusiasm in two particular areas– pedigree study and his tireless efforts to improve the industry– laid the foundation for me to travel similar paths.
Knowing Michel meant knowing his family, of whom he was immensely proud. When Friday night came and I found myself in Paris, I looked forward to a Henochsberg family dinner, where I felt honored to be included. As the non-French speaking member of the family, my dinner contribution was giving the children an opportunity to practice their English conversation skills and an update on U.S. pop culture.
Michel's favorite way of getting to Longchamp, and around much of Paris, was on his souped-up moped. My ultimate expression of trust in Michel was this: I traveled by taxi to join Michel at a meeting in Paris. With another meeting to follow, he encouraged me to hop on the back of his moped for what he promised would be a short ride. I opened my eyes to find that we were not only on the Peripherique, but he was one of those people I curse–a motorcycle driver on a highway weaving in and out between the traffic at high speed. I closed my eyes again and kept them tightly shut until the engine turned off and I vowed never again to experience that particular thrill. But Michel got me there safely.
In time, I was able to help him with his breeding stock in America, which made me a footnote to history. I am most proud that the 1988 mating on my Miswaki share led to his mare Allegretta producing Urban Sea. Her son, Galileo, means a lot of things to a lot of people. For me, every time I read or hear the name Galileo will be a moment to remember my special friend.
My heart breaks for Geraldine and for his children Rachel, Simon and Mimi.
Their Michel–our Michel–was one in a million.
–Barry Weisbord
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