In The News

Champion racehorse trainer Sir Henry Cecil passes away

Champion racehorse trainer Sir Henry Cecil passes away

SIR Henry Cecil, one of the greatest racehorse trainers in the history of the sport in Britain, has passed away at the age of 70.

In a career which spanned more than forty years, Sir Henry was champion Flat trainer 10 times and trained 25 British Classic winners including Frankel — regarded as one of the finest horses to have raced in Britain.

Sir Henry, who was born in Aberdeen, had first obtained a trainer’s licence in 1969 and within seven years had won the first of his Champion trainer titles.

His first success in a British Classic was in 1975 when Bolkonski, ridden by Gianfranco Dettori, won the 2000 Guineas. A year later he won the race with Wollow.

Sir Henry’s training operation was based at Warren Place stables in Newmarket. His Derby winners were Slip Anchor (1985), Reference Point (1987), Commander In Chief (1993) and Oath (1999).

Royal Ascot was to prove to be one of the most successful meetings for him. During his long career, Sir Henry enjoyed 75 wins at the event.

Although Sir Henry had also experienced extreme lows during his life, he bounced back to the heights of success.

When news of his passing was released, a minute’s silence was observed at a number of race meetings in England and jockeys wore black armbands.

Among the many who paid tribute to Sir Henry was the former jockey Willie Carson who said he had been “a genius of a racehorse trainer”. Mr. Carson added that punters had loved Sir Henry and had always backed his horses because they knew the trainer had such high expectations for his runners.

Sir Henry had been suffering from cancer in recent years. His twin brother, David, had died from the disease in 2000.

To view an interview which Sir Henry gave to At The Races, click here.

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