by Tony Smurthwaite

Baron Guy de Rothschild, the banking magnate who was one of France's foremost owner-breeders for more than half a century, died on June 12 at the age of 98.

De Rothschild owned many notable racehorses including champions La Bamba, Free Ride, Diatome, Soleil, and Mariacci, as well as 1977 Prix du Jockey-Club (Fr-G1) (French Derby) winner Crystal Palace. Yet arguably the horse that brought him widest acclaim was Exbury, who won the 1963 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

De Rothschild was head of his family's European banking dynasty, but his racing silks of blue with yellow cap were as memorable to racegoers and survive through his son, Edouard de Rothschild, the president of France Galop.

Classic wins were numerous, provided by Guersant (1952 Poule d’Essai des Poulains), Cobalt ('53 Poule d’Essai des Poulains), Dictaway ('55 Poule d’Essai des Pouliches), Cerisoles ('57 Prix de Diane [French Oaks]), Timandra ('60 Poule d’Essai des Pouliches, Prix de Diane [French Oaks]), and Hermieres (1961 Prix de Diane [French Oaks]).

De Rothschild ran the breeding operation Haras de Meautry near Deauville in Normandy. He was president of the French Thoroughbred Breeders' Association between 1975 and '82.

Tony Smurthwaite is an England-based Thoroughbred Times correspondent