Pierre Wertheimer
Encyclopedia
Pierre Wertheimer was a French
businessman.
In October 1910, Pierre Wertheimer married Germaine Revel, a daughter of a stockbroker and a member of the Lazard
family of investment bankers.
In 1924, Pierre Wertheimer and his brother Paul became Coco Chanel's
partners in the House of Chanel
perfume business. Two years before, in 1922, the Chanel No. 5
perfume had been introduced and Ms Chanel needed the Wertheimers' extensive experience in commerce, their American business connections, and their capital to fully develop and market the product. During their partnership, Wertheimer owned 70% of the Chanel perfume company. Chanel owned 10% and Chanel's friend, Théophile Bader, owned the remaining 20%.
owner. In 1949 he hired the then 24-year-old Alec Head
to train his horses. The Werheimer/Head association in racing stell continue through family members( Fredy Head trainer of Goldikova 3 times breeder cup winner mile turf and remaining in training for 2011 for a aptent 4 consecutive win in this classic race) Wertheimer's horses won numerous important races in France and the United Kingdom
. Among the notable horses he owned was Epinard
, called a racing legend http://www.france-galop.com/COURSES/noms1.htm by the French racing authority, France Galop
.
Selected Group One
race wins:
After his death, his widow remained as an owner of prominent horses such as Riverman
and Lyphard
. Germaine Wertheimer's Group One race wins include:
The racing stable and the House of Chanel was inherited by his son Jacques Wertheimer
who continued to be a force in French racing and who expanded the House of Chanel even further. On Jacques' death, the business went to his sons, Gerard
and Alain Wertheimer
.
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
businessman.
In October 1910, Pierre Wertheimer married Germaine Revel, a daughter of a stockbroker and a member of the Lazard
Lazard
Lazard Ltd is the parent company of Lazard Group LLC, a global, independent investment bank with approximately 2,300 employees in 42 cities across 27 countries throughout Europe, North America, Asia, Australia, Central and South America...
family of investment bankers.
In 1924, Pierre Wertheimer and his brother Paul became Coco Chanel's
Coco Chanel
Gabrielle Bonheur "Coco" Chanel was a pioneering French fashion designer whose modernist thought, menswear-inspired fashions, and pursuit of expensive simplicity made her an important figure in 20th-century fashion. She was the founder of one of the most famous fashion brands, Chanel...
partners in the House of Chanel
Chanel
Chanel S.A. is a French fashion house founded by the couturier Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel, well established in haute couture, specializing in luxury goods . She gained the name "Coco" while maintaining a career as a singer at a café in France...
perfume business. Two years before, in 1922, the Chanel No. 5
Chanel No. 5
Chanel No. 5 is the first perfume launched by Parisian couturier Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel. The French government reports that a bottle of Chanel No. 5 is sold every thirty seconds and generates sales of $100 million a year. It was developed by Russian-French chemist and perfumer Ernest Beaux...
perfume had been introduced and Ms Chanel needed the Wertheimers' extensive experience in commerce, their American business connections, and their capital to fully develop and market the product. During their partnership, Wertheimer owned 70% of the Chanel perfume company. Chanel owned 10% and Chanel's friend, Théophile Bader, owned the remaining 20%.
Thoroughbred horse racing
Pierre Wertheimer was also a leading racehorseHorse racing
Horse racing is an equestrian sport that has a long history. Archaeological records indicate that horse racing occurred in ancient Babylon, Syria, and Egypt. Both chariot and mounted horse racing were events in the ancient Greek Olympics by 648 BC...
owner. In 1949 he hired the then 24-year-old Alec Head
Alec Head
Alec Head was a prominent French horseman and breeder and the owner of Haras du Quesnay near Deauville. A descendant of the great trainers who founded the English Racing Colony in Chantilly, Oise, Head's grandfather was a jockey-turned-trainer, as was his father William Head who was a very...
to train his horses. The Werheimer/Head association in racing stell continue through family members( Fredy Head trainer of Goldikova 3 times breeder cup winner mile turf and remaining in training for 2011 for a aptent 4 consecutive win in this classic race) Wertheimer's horses won numerous important races in France and the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. Among the notable horses he owned was Epinard
Épinard
Épinard was a French Thoroughbred racehorse who was given the French name for spinach. He is considered a racing legend by French racing authority France Galop....
, called a racing legend http://www.france-galop.com/COURSES/noms1.htm by the French racing authority, France Galop
France Galop
France Galop is the governing body of flat and steeplechase horse racing in France. It was founded on May 3, 1995 as the result of the amalgamation of four different industry organizations...
.
Selected Group One
Group One
Group One or Group 1 is the term used for the highest level of Thoroughbred and Standardbred stakes races in many countries. Group One races may be run under handicap conditions in Australia but in Europe weight-for-age conditions always apply. Races may be also restricted to age groups or a...
race wins:
- 1,000 Guineas : (1935)
- King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes : (1955)
- Epsom DerbyEpsom DerbyThe Derby Stakes, popularly known as The Derby, internationally as the Epsom Derby, and under its present sponsor as the Investec Derby, is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies...
: LavandinLavandin (horse)Lavandin was a French Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. In a brief career which lasted from November 1955 to June 1956, Lavandin ran five times, winning twice. He is best known for his win in the 1956 Epsom Derby.-Background:...
(1956) - Prix de la ForêtPrix de la ForêtThe Prix de la Forêt is a Group 1 flat horse race in France which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Longchamp over a distance of 1,400 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year in late September or early October.-History:The race was established in 1858,...
: EpinardÉpinardÉpinard was a French Thoroughbred racehorse who was given the French name for spinach. He is considered a racing legend by French racing authority France Galop....
(1922), Midget (1956) - Prix d'Astarté : Eleda (1934), Djanet (1956)
- Prix Maurice de GheestPrix Maurice de GheestThe Prix Maurice de Gheest is a Group 1 flat horse race in France open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Deauville over a distance of 1,300 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year in August.-History:...
: Sonny Boy (1933), Djanet (1956), Midget (1957), Tomahawk (1959)
After his death, his widow remained as an owner of prominent horses such as Riverman
Riverman
This article is about the racehorse. For the song by Nick Drake, see Five Leaves Left.Riverman was a French Thoroughbred racehorse. Foaled in Kentucky, he was bred by Harry F. Guggenheim of the prominent American Guggenheim family...
and Lyphard
Lyphard
Lyphard was a French Thoroughbred racehorse and an important sire. American bred in Pennsylvania, Lyphard was a son of Northern Dancer out of the mare Goofed. He was auctioned as a weanling at November's Keeneland Sales to Tim Rogers, a horseman from Ireland, who then put him up for sale at...
. Germaine Wertheimer's Group One race wins include:
- Prix de la ForêtPrix de la ForêtThe Prix de la Forêt is a Group 1 flat horse race in France which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Longchamp over a distance of 1,400 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year in late September or early October.-History:The race was established in 1858,...
: Démocratie (1969), LyphardLyphardLyphard was a French Thoroughbred racehorse and an important sire. American bred in Pennsylvania, Lyphard was a son of Northern Dancer out of the mare Goofed. He was auctioned as a weanling at November's Keeneland Sales to Tim Rogers, a horseman from Ireland, who then put him up for sale at...
(1972) - Prix du Jockey ClubPrix du Jockey ClubThe Prix du Jockey Club, sometimes referred to as the French Derby, is a Group 1 flat horse race in France open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies...
: Roi Lear (1973) - Poule d'Essai des PoulainsPoule d'Essai des PoulainsThe Poule d'Essai des Poulains, sometimes referred to as the French 2,000 Guineas, is a Group 1 flat horse race in France open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts...
: Riverman (1972) - Prix d'IspahanPrix d'IspahanThe Prix d'Ispahan is a Group 1 flat horse race in France open to thoroughbreds aged four years or older. It is run at Longchamp over a distance of 1,850 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year in May.-History:...
: Riverman (1972) - Prix Jacques Le MaroisPrix Jacques le MaroisThe Prix Jacques Le Marois is a Group 1 flat horse race in France open to thoroughbred colts and fillies aged three years or older. It is run at Deauville over a distance of 1,600 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year in August....
: LyphardLyphardLyphard was a French Thoroughbred racehorse and an important sire. American bred in Pennsylvania, Lyphard was a son of Northern Dancer out of the mare Goofed. He was auctioned as a weanling at November's Keeneland Sales to Tim Rogers, a horseman from Ireland, who then put him up for sale at...
(1972)
The racing stable and the House of Chanel was inherited by his son Jacques Wertheimer
Jacques Wertheimer
Jacques Guy Wertheimer was a prominent French businessman who inherited and ran the renowned House of Chanel perfume company...
who continued to be a force in French racing and who expanded the House of Chanel even further. On Jacques' death, the business went to his sons, Gerard
Gerard Wertheimer
Gerard Wertheimer is a Jewish French businessman based in France who owns and controls the House of Chanel perfume company in partnership with his brother, Alain....
and Alain Wertheimer
Alain Wertheimer
Alain Wertheimer is a Jewish French businessman based in France who, with his brother Gerard own the controlling interest in the House of Chanel. The son of Jacques Wertheimer and Eliane Fischer, it was his grandfather Pierre who co-founded the Chanel business...
.