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| image = 11-6-22, Chantilly, M. Marcel Boussac (propriétaire du cheval gagnant le Prix du Jockey Club) - (photographie de presse) - (Agence Rol).jpg
| image = 11-6-22, Chantilly, M. Marcel Boussac (propriétaire du cheval gagnant le Prix du Jockey Club) - (photographie de presse) - (Agence Rol).jpg
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1889|4|17|df=y}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1889|4|17|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Châteauroux]], [[France]]
| birth_place = [[Châteauroux]], France
| death_date = {{death date|1980|3|21|df=y}} (aged 90)
| death_date = {{death date|1980|3|21|df=y}} (aged 90)
| death_place = [[Paris]], [[France]]
| death_place = Paris, France
| occupation = Businessman:<br>Perfume manufacturing<br>Newspaper publishing<br>Racehorse owner/breeder
| occupation = Businessman:<br>Perfume manufacturing<br>Newspaper publishing<br>Racehorse owner/breeder
| spouse = [[Fanny Heldy]]
| spouse = [[Fanny Heldy]]
}}
}}


'''Marcel Boussac''' (17 April 1889 – 21 March 1980) was a French entrepreneur best known for his ownership of the [[Christian Dior SA|Maison Dior]] and one of the most successful [[thoroughbred]] [[race horse]] breeding farms in [[Europe]]an history.
'''Marcel Boussac''' (17 April 1889 – 21 March 1980) was a French entrepreneur best known for his ownership of the [[Christian Dior SA|Maison Dior]] and one of the most successful [[thoroughbred]] [[race horse]] breeding farms in European history.


Born in [[Châteauroux]], [[Indre]], [[France]], Boussac made a fortune in [[textile]] manufacturing. In 1919 he acquired the Château de Mivoisin, a 36 square kilometre property located 1½ hours south of Paris in [[Dammarie-sur-Loing]], [[Loiret]].
Born in [[Châteauroux]], [[Indre]], France, Boussac made a fortune in textile manufacturing. In 1919 he acquired the Château de Mivoisin, a 36 square kilometre property located 1½ hours south of Paris in [[Dammarie-sur-Loing]], [[Loiret]].


In 1946, he financed [[Christian Dior SA|Christian Dior's]] new [[Paris]] fashion house that became one of the most famous clothing and perfume marques in history. In 1951 Boussac expanded into the newspaper business with the acquisition of ''[[L'Aurore (1944 newspaper)|L'Aurore]]''.
In 1946, he financed [[Christian Dior SA|Christian Dior]]'s new Paris fashion house that became one of the most famous clothing and perfume marques. In 1951 Boussac expanded into the newspaper business with the acquisition of ''[[L'Aurore (1944 newspaper)|L'Aurore]]''.


An avid horseman, Marcel Boussac acquired the [[Haras de Fresnay-le-Buffard]] horse breeding farm in [[Neuvy-au-Houlme]] in [[Lower Normandy]] and the [[Haras de Jardy]] in [[Marnes-la-Coquette]]. As part of his breeding operation, Boussac bought and sold horses from across Europe plus from the [[United States]]. He acquired the [[Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing|U.S. Triple Crown]] winner [[Whirlaway]] and sold the mare [[La Troienne (horse)|La Troienne]] to [[Edward R. Bradley|Edward R. Bradley's]] [[Idle Hour Stock Farm]] in [[Lexington, Kentucky]] who became one of the most influential mares to be imported into the U.S. in the 20th century.
An avid horseman, Marcel Boussac acquired the [[Haras de Fresnay-le-Buffard]] horse breeding farm in [[Neuvy-au-Houlme]] in [[Lower Normandy]] and the [[Haras de Jardy]] in [[Marnes-la-Coquette]]. As part of his breeding operation, Boussac bought and sold horses from across Europe plus from the United States. He acquired the [[Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing|U.S. Triple Crown]] winner [[Whirlaway]] and sold the mare [[La Troienne (horse)|La Troienne]] to [[Edward R. Bradley]]'s [[Idle Hour Stock Farm]] in [[Lexington, Kentucky]] who became one of the most influential mares to be imported into the U.S. in the 20th century.


Boussac's horses, carrying Boussac's signature ''orange silk and grey cap'', dominated French horse racing from the 1930s through to the 1960s making his stable the leading money winner fourteen times and the leading breeder on seventeen occasions. In addition to being a six-time winner of France's most important race, the [[Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe]], Boussac's horses also won the prestigious [[Epsom Derby]], [[Epsom Oaks]], [[2,000 Guineas Stakes|2,000 Guineas]], [[St. Leger Stakes]], [[Ascot Gold Cup]] and others in the [[United Kingdom]].
Boussac's horses, carrying Boussac's signature ''orange silk and grey cap'', dominated French horse racing from the 1930s through to the 1960s making his stable the leading money winner fourteen times and the leading breeder on seventeen occasions. In addition to being a six-time winner of France's most important race, the [[Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe]], Boussac's horses also won the prestigious [[Epsom Derby]], [[Epsom Oaks]], [[2,000 Guineas Stakes|2,000 Guineas]], [[St. Leger Stakes]], [[Ascot Gold Cup]] and others in the [[United Kingdom]].
[[File:Owner Marcel Boussac.svg|thumb|300x300px|Marcel Boussac's signature colours : ''Orange, grey cap'']]
[[File:Owner Marcel Boussac.svg|thumb|300x300px|Marcel Boussac's signature colours : ''Orange, grey cap'']]
With the [[Fall of France]] in the Second World War, Boussac paid a British Royal Air Force officer on secret business to fly him from Paris to the UK. This caused the officer [[Sidney Cotton]] to be removed from his position.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.defence.gov.au/news/raafnews/EDITIONS/4616/history/story02.htm |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2009-01-19 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080807230255/http://defence.gov.au/news/raafnews/editions/4616/history/story02.htm |archivedate=2008-08-07 }}</ref> During the [[German occupation of France in World War II]], the [[Nazi]]s seized some of the best racehorses in the country. They shipped more than six hundred of them out of the country, some to [[Hungary]] but most back to [[Germany]] for racing or for breeding at the German National Stud. Among them was the champion [[Pharis (horse)|Pharis]], owned by Marcel Boussac.
With the [[Fall of France]] in the Second World War, Boussac paid a British Royal Air Force officer on secret business to fly him from Paris to the UK. This caused the officer [[Sidney Cotton]] to be removed from his position.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.defence.gov.au/news/raafnews/EDITIONS/4616/history/story02.htm |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2009-01-19 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080807230255/http://defence.gov.au/news/raafnews/editions/4616/history/story02.htm |archivedate=2008-08-07 }}</ref> During the [[German occupation of France in World War II]], the [[Nazi]]s seized some of the best racehorses in the country. They shipped more than six hundred of them out of the country, some to Hungary but most back to Germany for racing or for breeding at the German National Stud. Among them was the champion [[Pharis (horse)|Pharis]], owned by Marcel Boussac.


He was married for many years to the [[Belgium|Belgian]] [[opera]] star [[Fanny Heldy]]. They are buried together in the [[Cimetière de Montmartre]] in the [[Montmartre Quarter]] of Paris.
He was married for many years to the Belgian opera singer [[Fanny Heldy]]. They are buried together in the [[Cimetière de Montmartre]] in the [[Montmartre Quarter]] of Paris.


On his passing in 1980, Boussac's estate was liquidated and ''L'Aurore'' sold to [[Robert Hersant]] who merged it with his ''[[Le Figaro]]'' newspaper. The property itself would eventually be acquired by [[Stavros Niarchos]]. The [[Aga Khan IV]] had purchased the bulk of the Boussac farm's breeding stock in 1978 when Boussac's companies were declared bankrupt.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Baerlein|first1=Richard|title=Shergar : and the Aga Khan's thoroughbred empire|date=1984|publisher=Michael Joseph Ltd|location=London|isbn=0718121767|pages=57–61}}</ref>
On his passing in 1980, Boussac's estate was liquidated and ''L'Aurore'' sold to [[Robert Hersant]] who merged it with his ''[[Le Figaro]]'' newspaper. The property itself would eventually be acquired by [[Stavros Niarchos]]. The [[Aga Khan IV]] had purchased the bulk of the Boussac farm's breeding stock in 1978 when Boussac's companies were declared bankrupt.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Baerlein|first1=Richard|title=Shergar : and the Aga Khan's thoroughbred empire|date=1984|publisher=Michael Joseph Ltd|location=London|isbn=0718121767|pages=57–61}}</ref>

Revision as of 13:13, 5 August 2022

Marcel Boussac
Born(1889-04-17)17 April 1889
Châteauroux, France
Died(1980-03-21)21 March 1980 (aged 90)
Paris, France
Occupation(s)Businessman:
Perfume manufacturing
Newspaper publishing
Racehorse owner/breeder
SpouseFanny Heldy

Marcel Boussac (17 April 1889 – 21 March 1980) was a French entrepreneur best known for his ownership of the Maison Dior and one of the most successful thoroughbred race horse breeding farms in European history.

Born in Châteauroux, Indre, France, Boussac made a fortune in textile manufacturing. In 1919 he acquired the Château de Mivoisin, a 36 square kilometre property located 1½ hours south of Paris in Dammarie-sur-Loing, Loiret.

In 1946, he financed Christian Dior's new Paris fashion house that became one of the most famous clothing and perfume marques. In 1951 Boussac expanded into the newspaper business with the acquisition of L'Aurore.

An avid horseman, Marcel Boussac acquired the Haras de Fresnay-le-Buffard horse breeding farm in Neuvy-au-Houlme in Lower Normandy and the Haras de Jardy in Marnes-la-Coquette. As part of his breeding operation, Boussac bought and sold horses from across Europe plus from the United States. He acquired the U.S. Triple Crown winner Whirlaway and sold the mare La Troienne to Edward R. Bradley's Idle Hour Stock Farm in Lexington, Kentucky who became one of the most influential mares to be imported into the U.S. in the 20th century.

Boussac's horses, carrying Boussac's signature orange silk and grey cap, dominated French horse racing from the 1930s through to the 1960s making his stable the leading money winner fourteen times and the leading breeder on seventeen occasions. In addition to being a six-time winner of France's most important race, the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, Boussac's horses also won the prestigious Epsom Derby, Epsom Oaks, 2,000 Guineas, St. Leger Stakes, Ascot Gold Cup and others in the United Kingdom.

Marcel Boussac's signature colours : Orange, grey cap

With the Fall of France in the Second World War, Boussac paid a British Royal Air Force officer on secret business to fly him from Paris to the UK. This caused the officer Sidney Cotton to be removed from his position.[1] During the German occupation of France in World War II, the Nazis seized some of the best racehorses in the country. They shipped more than six hundred of them out of the country, some to Hungary but most back to Germany for racing or for breeding at the German National Stud. Among them was the champion Pharis, owned by Marcel Boussac.

He was married for many years to the Belgian opera singer Fanny Heldy. They are buried together in the Cimetière de Montmartre in the Montmartre Quarter of Paris.

On his passing in 1980, Boussac's estate was liquidated and L'Aurore sold to Robert Hersant who merged it with his Le Figaro newspaper. The property itself would eventually be acquired by Stavros Niarchos. The Aga Khan IV had purchased the bulk of the Boussac farm's breeding stock in 1978 when Boussac's companies were declared bankrupt.[2]

In his honor, the Prix Marcel Boussac, a Group One Stakes Race, is run annually at the Longchamp Racecourse.

References

  1. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2008-08-07. Retrieved 2009-01-19.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  2. ^ Baerlein, Richard (1984). Shergar : and the Aga Khan's thoroughbred empire. London: Michael Joseph Ltd. pp. 57–61. ISBN 0718121767.
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