Alain Lequeux
(1947 - 2006)
(1947 - 2006)
French jockey Alain Lequeux was born on August 3, 1946, the son of top jockey Guy Lequeux. He was apprenticed to Francois Mathet when aged 14 and rode his first winner at Fontainebleau in 1963. He went on to become one of France’s leading jockeys in the 1970s and 1980s, winning more than 2,000 races during his career between 1963 and his retirement in 1992.
French jockey Alain Lequeux was born on August 3, 1946, the son of top jockey Guy Lequeux. He was apprenticed to Francois Mathet when aged 14 and rode his first winner at Fontainebleau in 1963. He went on to become one of France’s leading jockeys in the 1970s and 1980s, winning more than 2,000 races during his career between 1963 and his retirement in 1992.
He won a total of 33 Group 1 races including the 1979 St Leger on Son Of Love, the 1974 Poule d’Essai des Pouliches on Dunka, and 1981 Washington D.C. International aboard Providential for trainer Charlie Whittingham.
He won a total of 33 Group 1 races including the 1979 St Leger on Son Of Love, the 1974 Poule d’Essai des Pouliches on Dunka, and 1981 Washington D.C. International aboard Providential for trainer Charlie Whittingham.
He rode as stable jockey for Newmarket-based French trainer Olivier Douieb in 1984 and 1985. Their best horse during their association was the filly Meis El Reim, on whom Alain won the Salisbury 1000 Guineas Trial in 1984 and then finished second to Pebbles in the Guineas itself. Later that season he rode her to win the Group 2 Prix D’Astarte at Deauville and finish third in both the Waterford Crystal Mile and the Prix du Moulin.
He rode as stable jockey for Newmarket-based French trainer Olivier Douieb in 1984 and 1985. Their best horse during their association was the filly Meis El Reim, on whom Alain won the Salisbury 1000 Guineas Trial in 1984 and then finished second to Pebbles in the Guineas itself. Later that season he rode her to win the Group 2 Prix D’Astarte at Deauville and finish third in both the Waterford Crystal Mile and the Prix du Moulin.
The Douieb-Lequeux partnership began 1985 by winning the European Free Handicap with Over The Ocean at Newmarket’s Craven Meeting. Despite that encouraging start, it was not a particularly successful year. The nearest Alain came to winning a major race when finishing second on Jeremy Tree’s Rainbow Quest in that year’s Eclipse Stakes, beaten two lengths by Pebbles.
The Douieb-Lequeux partnership began 1985 by winning the European Free Handicap with Over The Ocean at Newmarket’s Craven Meeting. Despite that encouraging start, it was not a particularly successful year. The nearest Alain came to winning a major race when finishing second on Jeremy Tree’s Rainbow Quest in that year’s Eclipse Stakes, beaten two lengths by Pebbles.
Alain returned to France and continued where he’d left off, riding successfully for the remainder of the 1980s. He had his last ride on Shanghai (finished eighth) Prix du Moulin at Longchamp on September 6, 1992.
Alain returned to France and continued where he’d left off, riding successfully for the remainder of the 1980s. He had his last ride on Shanghai (finished eighth) Prix du Moulin at Longchamp on September 6, 1992.
A noted gourmet, following his retirement from racing the popular and personable Alain owned and operated the Cafe Lequeux in Chantilly, not far from the Chantilly Racecourse.
A noted gourmet, following his retirement from racing the popular and personable Alain owned and operated the Cafe Lequeux in Chantilly, not far from the Chantilly Racecourse.
Aged 59, Alain Lequeux died in hospital at Senlis, Oise (near Chantilly) on 26 April 2006 of a cerebral haemorrhage.
Aged 59, Alain Lequeux died in hospital at Senlis, Oise (near Chantilly) on 26 April 2006 of a cerebral haemorrhage.