Top French trainer Criquette Head-Maarek, responsible for dual Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe heroine Treve, has announced she is to retire after a highly-successful career lasting over 40 years.
She feels the time is right to call it a day and will saddle her last runners on February 1.
However, she will still be involved in the sport and plans to devote more time to the family stud, Haras du Quesnay in Deauville.
"I've got some runners on Friday and I've got runners on the 1st of February and then I will stop. I am 70 years old," she said. "It was a tough decision to take, because it is always tough when you decide to change.
"It is a big change for me. I have been training since 1977, so 41 years.
"I owe everything to every owner I have worked with - Prince Khalid Abdullah, Maktoum Al Maktoum, the Wertheimer Brothers, my dad (Alec Head). I owe everything to my dad.
"I have had so many good owners in my life and I was very lucky to train good horses."
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