Freddy Head, one of the champion jockeys selected for real success in training, will award his license later this year.
Head, who defeated the Miesque champion and set the course for his record-breaking career Goldikova announced its decision to decline after celebrating its 75th birthday in June.
Head said on September 18: “Age catches up with all of us and I’ve been working since I was 16. It’s time for me to enjoy other things. I’ve always felt 75 would be the time to stop and I never want to go through the stage where I’m bored; that would be horrible.
“You need a bit of luck and I’ve been very lucky to train some very good horses. That’s great because as a jockey I’ve always wanted to train.
“When I ride, I always criticize the trainers a little bit and I want to see if I’m right. I’ve driven a lot of good people, so I wanted to see if I could take things differently. that I learned from them and put them not. all together for myself. That’s the best thing about being a coach.”
Head has had a phenomenal career in the saddle and has won the Cravache d’Or (golden whip, championship trophy in France) six times, which doesn’t mean his career largely coincides with record holder Yves Saint Martin.
His most famous relationship in the saddle field was with Miesque, who completed the Newmarket and Longchamp Guineas double and recorded consecutive victories in the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) in 1987 and 1988.
Head also won the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1) with Bon Mot (1966), San San (1972), Ivanjica (1976), and Three Troikas (1979).
He started training from his yard on Avenue Chantilly du General Leclerc in 1997 and won his first group 1 with Marchand D’Or in the 2006 Prix Maurice de Gheest (G1), a race he had to make his own.
Freddie Head after Goldikova’s win in the Breeders ‘Cup Mile 2009
The Marchand D’Or has won the Maurice de Gheest for three consecutive years, a feat repeated by Head-training Moonlight clouds who showed his versatility in 2013 by winning the Deauville sprint championship and then the Prix du Haras de Fresnay-le-Buffard-Jacques Le Marois (G1) more than a mile just seven days later. .
Many of Head’s finest horses have raced in the colors of Alain and Gerard Wertheimer, including Too low who made his mark during the 2015 season when he won 5 places straight into group 1, went through the Dubai Turf sponsored by DP World (G1) in March and Queen Elizabeth II S. Sponsored by QIPCO (G1) in Ascot in October.
Solow won the 2015 Dubai Turf Championship in Meydan, giving coach Freddy Head his first victory in Dubai.
The famous blue-and-white Wertheimer silks are also made by Goldikova, whose 14 group 1 pieces in 5 seasons are still a European record among flat performers.
She became the first horse to win the Breeders’ Cup race three times by landing Mile in 2008, 2009 and 2010.
The trainer said: “Goldikova was an extraordinary mare, but I have very fond memories of Marchand D’Or, who was my first champion. He had a lot of problems but was very good. quantity.
“I don’t know why they all exist in my career. I suppose first of all they have to be very good — you can’t do that with any old horse — and then you have to love them. “
Head became the first person to ride and coach a Breeders’ Cup winner, a feat since the Joseph O’Brien match.
His interest in racing will be strongly perpetuated by his children. His son, Christopher, has carried a junior doubles championship in recent weeks, while his daughter Victoria obtained her training license earlier this year.
“To see what Christopher and Victoria are doing has been amazing and a great reward for me. The name Head will continue.”
