FREDDY Head has had a roller coaster season. After We Are outclassed the field in the Pour Moi Coolmore Prix Saint-Alary, the daughter of Dansili became one of the favourites for the Prix de Diane Longines but she never made it to the start.

We Are tested positive for testosterone which was found to be due to an ovarian tumour. The filly was naturally disqualified and the tumour later removed at a Newmarket clinic.

The filly was off the track for three and a half months and then last but one in a listed race at Longchamp. Few thought she would be ready for a Group 1 race next time out but she still ran out the winner of the Prix de l’Opera Longines from Ribbons, who had previously won the Group 1 Prix Jean Romanet at Deauville.

Owned and bred by George Strawbridge, We Are remains in training next year when she looks sure to further enhance her reputation.

Freddy also had enormous success with Charm Spirit who improved throughout the year when he won four group races including the Prix Paul de Moussac, Jean Prat, Prix du Moulin de Longchamp and the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes.

He has been retired to the Tweenhills Stud for 2015 and will stand at the Aga Khan’s Haras de Bonneval the following year.

At the end of November the Head family received a special award at the Peter O’Sullevan lunch in London. Because of his frail health, the host was absent but present in a very moving film concerning the family.

Emotions got the better of Alec Head when thanking his old friend, so Criquette took over the reins and finished the job with Freddy. Head senior had flown over from the Bahamas with his wife Ghislaine and they managed a short visit to see Sir Peter in hospital before dashing back across the Atlantic.

The Head dynasty has had some great moments over the years. In 1986, Bering won the Prix du Jockey Club before being caught by Dancing Brave at the end of the Arc de Triomphe. In 1995, Maktoum Al Maktoum gave Anabaa to the Head family as he was diagnosed as a “wobbler” and doomed to continue life as a teaser. He recovered and was offered back to the Sheikh who declined the offer.

Anabaa went on to win the Darley July Cup and the Prix Maurice de Gheest.