Based in Chantilly, 36-year-old Christopher Head is a fifth-generation French trainer from a family steeped in horse racing history. The son of legendary trainer Freddy Head and nephew of Criquette, Head is no stranger to equine superstars with the yard he now trains from the former home of Goldikova,
Moonlight Cloud and Solow.
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Head relishing Nashwa clash in Qatar Nassau Stakes with superstar filly Blue Rose Cen
With father Freddy retiring last year, the Head dynasty has showed no sign of slowing down courtesy of Christopher Head’s star filly Blue Rose Cen completing a rare Group 1 treble comprising France's premier prize for two-year-old fillies, the Prix Marcel Boussac, as well as the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches (French 1000 Guineas) and the Prix de Diane (French Oaks). Christopher Head now has set his sights on an ambitious raid over the channel in the Group 1 Qatar Nassau Stakes on Thursday 3 August at Goodwood Racecourse, setting up a tantalising clash with last year’s Prix de Diane and Nassau Stakes winner Nashwa.
Trained by his father Freddy, Solow was the last French horse to win a Group 1 at the Qatar Goodwood Festival when he won the Qatar Sussex Stakes in 2015 and eight years on, Christopher is hoping to create history on what will be his ever trip to the track.
Now rated as the highest-rated three-year-old middle distance filly in Europe, Head has paid tribute to her ability and temperament.
Blue Rose Cen’s jockey Aurelien Lemaitre has never ridden at Goodwood but Head is very confident in his ability and the ability of his filly to handle the track and the occasion of the Qatar Goodwood Festival.
Blue Rose Cen's 76-year-old owner-breeder Leopoldo Fernandez Pujals (Yeguada Centurion) is a Cuban born Vietnam War veteran, who made his fortune in Spain in pizzas and telecommunications. He was a well-known breeder of Spanish horses but was convinced to take a chance on Head as a young trainer. Out of his five horses with Head, Blue Rose Cen is one and Big Rock is another who finished second in the Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby).
Head has praised his owner for not shying away from any race or challenge and opened up the possibility of her running in the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in October.
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