Alec Head Presented With IFHA Award of Merit
Description:
Prominent European horseman Alec Head was presented with the Longines and IFHA International Award of Merit following the 48th Annual International Conference of Horseracing Authorities Oct. 6 in Paris, France.
The award was presented by IFHA chairman Louis Romanet and Juan Carlos Capelli, Longines' vice president, head of international marketing.
"Both the Head and the Romanet families have been involved in the racing industry for more than 100 years on two different sides," Romanet said. "The Heads were active horsemen and we were regulators, but we have greatly enjoyed working together and the names of our two families are known everywhere around the world thanks to my father, Jean, and to Alec, who were both totally international-minded and respected all around the world.
"There really may be no other person (than Alec Head) that better embodies the accomplishments, values, and excellence that the Longines and IFHA International Award of Merit represent."
During his career as at trainer, Head won Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (Fr-I) four times: Nuccio (1952), Saint-Crespin (1959), Ivanjica (1976) and Gold River (1981). He also won the Epsom Derby with Lavandin (1956).
Head is the father of trainers Freddy Head, who is a former elite jockey, and Criquette Head-Maarek.
The Head family's Haras du Quesnay has bred or been associated with such racings greats as Prudent, Le Fabuleux, Bon Mot, Astec, Chaparral, Riverqueen, Detroit, Bering, Ravinella, and most recently two-time Arc winner Treve.