Sir henry cecil autobiography ranger
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Sir Henry Cecil was a one-off character with an unmatched connection with the racing public. His focus on Frankel inspired his fight for life
By MARCUS TOWNEND FOR THE DAILY MAIL
Published: | Updated:
A glance around Sir Henry Cecil’s study at his famous Warren Place Stables in Newmarket showed this was not a man who was different from most modern racehorse trainers - and not just in terms of ability and records.
Absent from the walls were pictures of all his great champions – household names to successive generations of racing fans like Ardross, Commander In Chief, Bosra Sham, Kris, Le Moss, Ramruma, Reference Point, Oh So Sharp, Slip Anchor, Oath and, of course, the mighty Frankel.
Rather than references to his 10 training championship or his 70-plus Royal Ascot winners, there was a fossilled shark’s tooth, nude statuettes, a Georgian military drum and cabinets of neatly lined-up model soldiers.
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The greatest: Sir Henry Cecil passed away after a
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Sir Henry Cecil: The beloved, udda champion trainer
Ardross, Bosra Sham, Commander In Chief, Diminuendo, Light Shift, Love Divine, Oath, Oh So Sharp, Reference Point, Slip Anchor and Wince are among the horses that have ensured the flag, which was raised after every Group One win, fluttered regularly at Cecil's Warren Place yard in Newmarket.
Oh So skarp was the last filly to win the Triple Crown, claiming a hat-trick of Classics in the 1,000 Guineas, Oaks and St Leger of 1985.
Cecil particularly excelled with the female of the species, and admitted he had a feminine side.
"I'm very vain. I think I should have been born with hona hormones. I love shopping," said the trainer, who listed an afternoon trip to the top shops of Knightsbridge and Chelsea as part of an ideal day.
Henry Richard Amherst Cecil liked to dress well, with his attire often featuring top-notch ties, shiny loafers and brightly coloured socks.
He tilted his head to one side while fieldi
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Sir Henry Cecil: Legendary trainer dies aged 70
Towards the end of his career, the Newmarket-based Cecil trained Frankel, officially the highest-ever rated racehorse after finishing his career unbeaten in 14 starts.
Cecil was described as "the greatest trainer of all time" by racing broadcaster Derek Thompson, champion National Hunt trainer Paul Nicholls called him "a true legend",, external while Newmarket racecourse said his contribution to racing would never be forgotten.
American rider Steve Cauthen, who enjoyed six highly successful years as a stable jockey at Warren Place, labelled Cecil "a genius".
"He had a great sense of humour. He was a super intelligent guy and really knew how to place his horses," the 53-year-old said.
"He tried to have fun. The atmosphere during most of the time I was up at Warren Place was just fantastic."
Jockeys at all four meetings in the United Kingdom on Tuesday were wearing black armbands as