Pierre Hoyeau, a notable figure in the racing community of Western France, has died at the age of 91. He was the father of former Arqana president and current senior advisor Eric Hoyeau, and the grandfather of bloodstock agent Arthur Hoyeau.
Hoyeau got his start in racing by creating a grain and feed trading company in Anjou, which supplied many trainers in the West of France. From there, his interest in racing developed, leading to Hoyeau creating his own stable, which focused primarily on jumping horses, but he worked with all breeds. He also bred a champion Purebred Arabian. Eventually he bred and trained on the family's Aumonerie property, and was known for the quality of his half-bred horses, which were frequently ridden by his son, a gentleman rider at the time.
Mackenzie II was one of his best horses, and Hoyeau bought his dam as a foal from Louis Augonnet. Another was dual Grade 1-winning jumper Nicanor (Fr) (Garde Royale {Ire}), who won at Cheltenham and Punchestown. Other notable horses for Hoyeau were Macadam SF, Le Pont Lala and the Purebred Arabian Madjani.
“He was simply a horseman,” son Eric told the JDG. “He was passionate about pedigrees, and his memory in this case was quite phenomenal. He had certainties in this matter, which earned him the nickname professor. He was my first guide in horses.”
A service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, July 23 at the Abbey of Saint-Florent-le-Vieil in Mauges-sur-Loire.
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