Honoring Sir Henry Cecil
Sir Henry Richard Amherst Cecil (1943 – 2013) Flat Racing
Sir Henry Cecil (1943-2013) will be remembered as one of the most successful flat racing horse trainers. Trainer of 25 Classic winners and ten-time Champion Trainer, Sir Henry, won the Royal Ascot race for the record 75 (!) times. A genius of equine sports, he sadly died at the age of 70 from stomach cancer… In this article, we will delve into Sir Henry’s mesmerizing horse training career and remember some of his incredible wins.
The “Ben Hur Of Newmarket” From Scotland
The future “Ben Hur of Newmarket” (it was Cecil’s later nickname!) was born in Aberdeen, Scotland in January 1943 to Rohays Cecil and Lt. Hon. Henry Kerr Auchmuty Cecil. Shortly before Henry and his twin brother David were born, their father died in the WWII war. Their mother remarried Newmarket-based Captain Cecil Boyd-Rochfort, who was British flat racing Champion Trainer and trained horses of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II. His stepfather was the person who inspired Henry and also hired him as an assistant trainer at Freemason Lodge Stable (1964-1968). After studying at Sunningdale School and Canford School in Dorset, Cecil worked at Earl of Derby’s Woodland Stud in Newmarket.
Until 1966, he didn’t focus on the racing as a full-time occupation. In 1966, he acquired Warren Place Stables through the marriage with Julie Murless, the daughter of royal horse trainer Sir Noel. Three years later he got his horse training license and won the race at Ripon with a Celestial Cloud ridden by Bill O’Gorman. In the same year, the horse he trained gave the Wolver Hollow won at the Eclipse Stakes. The following year, he was his first winner in the Queen Alexandra Stakes at the Royal Ascot. Soon his next notable achievements came: the horses he trained won the Irish 1,000 Guineas (1973) and 2,000 Guineas (1975). Ridden by the jockey Steve Cauthen, Slip Anchor was the first at the Epsom Derby in 1985. It was the first Derby in Cecil’s training career. In 1999 Henry Cecil had three of the five Classic wins. An important event in Sir Henry Cecil’s life was the management of the Warren Place Stables. In 1976 his father-in-law Sir Noel retired, and Cecil inhabited and took over the stables.
The brilliant training career of Sir Cecil also had serious setbacks. In 1990, he divorced his wife, with whom they had two children. Two years later, he married his lawyer’s daughter Natalie Payne, who later changed with his client and patron Sheikh Mohammed of Dubai. After this situation, Sheikh removed 40 of his thoroughbreds from Cecil’s stable. In 2000, Cecil experienced a family tragedy: His brother David, also a horse trainer, died from cancer. The next years were the period of Cecil’s public decline.
In 2006 Henry Cecil was diagnosed with stomach cancer. However, he took the diagnosis with defiance and kept working despite the diagnosis and receiving treatment. Moreover, he had impressive achievements, perhaps the best during his career. He also married his third wife, Jane McKeown, in 2008. As for Cecil’s career, in 2007 his Light Shift won at the Oaks. He trained British thoroughbred Frankel of Prince Khalid Abdullah to 14 consecutive victories in 2010-2012. Cecil once said Frankel had been the best horse he had ever seen. In 2011 Frankel won the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket, ridden by Tom Queally. In the same year, Frankel also won in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot. In 2012 Frankel won in the Queen Anne Stakes. His barely unbelievable performances made Frankel the highest-rated racing horse of all time. Undoubtedly, both Frankel and the jockey had tremendous talent. At the same time, the sensitive and watchful guidance of Henry Cecil played a huge role in Frankel’s victories.
In 2011 Henry received the title of Knight Bachelor and became Sir Henry Cecil for his contribution to flat horse racing. Unfortunately, in 2013 one of the greatest horse trainers of all time passed by. Besides his talent, Sir Henry has always been a public favorite for his demeanor, sense of style, and elegance. He had also been a punter favorite. Most likely, if you were already betting on horses and gambling before 2013, you must have placed a bet on at least one of Henry Cecil’s horses. Much different from playing in online casinos like Hellspin, betting on horses has always been an art. Just like the talent of the Cecil.
He was deserted by the elite and royalty, including the Saudi Arabian Prince Abdullah. During his 44-year training career, he has trained top-class thoroughbreds including Frankel, four Derby winners Reference Point, Oath, Slip Anchor, and Commander-In-Chief, as well as dual Ascot Gold Cup winner Le Moss. And these thoroughbreds were ridden by the champion jockeys like Pat Eggery, Steve Cauthen, Joe Mercer, and Lester Piggott. The Frankel’s jockey Tom Queally won the various flat racing accolades including British flat racing Champion Apprentice in 2004. Cecil’s total of 75 victories with the most victories at Royal Ascot remains unbeaten. His personal story is perhaps even more impressive than his career due to the teak-tough courage and bravery.