Haras du Quesnay

Nicolas Caullery trainee King Gold (Fr) (Anodin {Ire}--Miss Gandelia {Fr}, by Kingsalsa) made a breakthrough at black-type level with a first such victory in June's G3 Prix de la Porte Maillot at ParisLongchamp when last seen and made the leap forward to prevail in a thrilling renewal of Sunday's G1 Arc Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville. The 39-5 chance was alert from the gates before settling under cover off the pace with just one rival behind through halfway. Inching closer when nudged along passing the quarter-mile marker, he was...

Ghislaine Head, owner-breeder and matriarch of France's famous training dynasty, died on Thursday, June 1 at the age of 95. The news was first reported by Jour de Galop.  The wife of Alec Head, who died a year ago, Ghislaine was represented on the racecourse by, among others, the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches and Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner Three Troikas (Fr) (Lyphard), who was trained by her daughter Christiane (Criquette) and ridden to victory by her son Freddy, who was later a successful trainer in his own right....

It has been a poignant year for his mother's family, who last summer grieved not only their own venerable patriarch but the founder of many parallel equine dynasties. Within months of Alec Head's death, their Haras du Quesnay was being dismantled and, as a reflective young man, Fernando Laffon could not fail to sense the end of a cycle as his grandmother Criquette Head-Maarek was joined in retirement by her brother Freddy. But just as Freddy's children Christopher and Victoria meanwhile continue in training careers of their own, so Laffon...

In John Berry's comprehensive and most interesting tribute to Alec Head he made a small but important error. The fact that I found it attests to retirement providing too much time on my hands. But I make this correction in an amusing story about my own connection to Alec. Of course, it must involve his inseparable friendship and business partnership with another monumental name in international breeding and racing circles, Comte Roland de Chambure. Deep in the third page of John's article, he describes two outstanding colts, Riverman and Lyphard, stating "both...

by Sue Finley & Katie Petrunyak Since 1958, the Head family has been raising champion Thoroughbreds at Haras du Quesnay, just a few kilometers from the Arqana sales ring. But now, with the passing of the family patriarch, Alec Head, and the sale of the historic nursery, the family's colors will fly for the last time at the December Breeding Stock sale, with the complete dispersal of the Heads' bloodstock interests. Le Quesnay will offer 48 broodmares, fillies and foals during the sale. "It's a big bunch of horses, and...

The Haras du Quesnay dispersal at the forthcoming Arqana December Breeding Stock Sale will be one of the most notable bloodstock events of recent years, Quesnay having been synonymous with excellence for longer than most people can remember. Its history is that of the Head family, a family which is revered the world over not only for its horsemanship and understanding of the bloodstock game, but also for its integrity. The Quesnay story is the Head story, and within it lie the stories of many of the greatest horses of...

Historic breeding establishment Haras du Quesnay announced it will disband its operation, including 40 broodmares, fillies and foals, during the upcoming Arqana Vente d'Elevage Dec. 3-6. "The Lov Group will purchase the stud," Freddy Head told JDG Sunday. "I believe le Quesnay will remain a stud, that's the objective. However, it is too early to tell. In any case, it won't take place until next year. All of the Haras du Quesney stock will be sold in December. Personally, I will continue to breed on my end." Haras du Quesney...

Haras du Quesnay's first-season sire Recoletos (Fr) (by Whipper) is off the mark after his daughter Markswoman (Fr) captured the opener at Compiegne on Tuesday. Fifth over 6 1/2 furlongs on debut at Craon June 13, the 23-5 shot was restrained early to race in rear. Cajoled into contention in early straight, she needed a remainder to overhaul Anoline (Fr) (Anodin {Ire}) and responded to head that rival inside the last 100 metres for a 3/4-of-a-length success. She is the last known foal out of the dam, a relative of...

Few people genuinely deserve to be described as a legend in their own lifetime. Lester Piggott was one, while Alec Head, who passed away on Wednesday at the age of 97, was another. One of the greatest names in the world of both training and breeding, Alec Head was also a very accomplished jockey in his youth and, coming from a great racing family, he passed on his skills to the subsequent generations, to the extent that one could say that the influence of his family will live forever. As their...

Alec Head, the legendary breeder, former jockey and trainer, and scion of one of the most notable dynasties in French racing, has died at the age of 97.  The owner of the esteemed Haras du Quesnay in Normandy, Head's father and grandfather were also both trainers and jockeys, and his children Christiane (Criquette) and Freddy, as well as grandson Christopher, all followed the family tradition into the training ranks in France. Of the many top horses associated with the Head family and Haras du Quesnay, the most recent major star...

Group 1 winner and sire Intello (Ger) (Galileo {Ire}) leads the four-strong roster at Haras du Quesnay in France next year, Jour de Galop reported on Wednesday. A winner of the G1 Prix du Jockey Club, the bay has sired six black-type winners in 2021 and stands for €8,000. He is joined by G1 Derby winner Motivator (GB) (Montjeu {Ire}), who has been priced at €7,000. Dual Group 1 winner Recoletos (Fr) (Whipper),whose first foals are yearlings, will stand for €4,000, and the roster is rounded out by first-season sire...

Intello (Ger), sire of four group race winners this year, leads the 2021 roster at Haras du Quesnay and will stand for €10,000. The G1 Prix du Jockey winner's 2020 highlights include G3 Sovereign S. winner Regal Reality (GB), G3 Prix la Force scorer Pao Alto (Fr), Group 3-winning 2-year-old Noble Heidi (Fr) and Australian Group 3 victor Young Rascal (Fr). A pair of proven sires will be available for €7,000 at Quesnay: Derby winner Motivator (GB), who is the sire of dual G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner...