“On behalf of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities, I express our sadness following the passing of Mr Alec Head, a legendary figure in French racing for more than 70 years,” said IFHA Chair Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges. “I extend the Federation’s sympathy and condolences to Alec’s wife, Ghislaine, and family.”
 
Head, who was 97, won fame successively as a jockey, trainer, owner, and horse breeder. He won his first race as an apprentice in 1941 at Maisons-Laffitte with Sparkenbroke at only 16-years-old. He then took out his trainer’s license in 1947 and was leading trainer for four years in a row from 1952 to 1955. During his career, Head won four Prix de l’Arc de Triomphes with Nuccio (1952), Saint-Crespin (1959), Ivanjica (1976), and Gold River (1981), and he also won the Epsom Derby with Lavandin (1956). 
 
The Head family has made its impact on the racing industry for more than 100 years. Alec’s legacy also includes the success of his son Freddy and daughter Criquette, who have both achieved tremendous accomplishments in the sport. Freddy was a six-time champion jockey in France and is a highly successful trainer, while Criquette was the first female trainer to win the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in 1979 with Three Troikas, who was owned by Ghislaine and ridden by Freddy. She also trained Treve, the 2013 co-Longines World’s Best Racehorse.
 
In 2014, Alec was awarded the Longines and IFHA International Award of Merit, which recognises distinguished horsemen and horsewomen for lifelong contributions to Thoroughbred racing. 
 
“He was one of the most prominent personalities in horse racing and has, thanks to his impressive career, deeply left a mark on this world,” Engelbrecht-Bresges concluded. “His experience and dedication to horse racing will remain a true inspiration for all of us. We will forever remember Alec and his legacy in this sport, and he will be deeply missed.”