Henry Cecil
Sir Henry Richard Amherst Cecil (11 January 1943 – 11 June 2013) was a British flat racing horse trainer. Cecil was very successful, becoming Champion Trainer ten times and training 25 domestic Classic winners. These comprised four winners of the Derby, eight winners of the Oaks, six winners of the 1,000 Guineas, three of the 2,000 Guineas and four winners of the St Leger Stakes. His 1000 Guineas and Oaks successes made him particularly renowned for his success with fillies. He was noted for his mastery at Royal Ascot, where he trained 75 winners.
| Sir Henry Richard Amherst Cecil | |
|---|---|
Cecil at the 2011 Ebor Festival | |
| Occupation | Trainer |
| Born | 11 January 1943 Aberdeen, Scotland |
| Died | 11 June 2013 (aged 70) Cambridge, England |
| Major racing wins | |
| British Classic Race wins: 2,000 Guineas (3) 1,000 Guineas (6) Epsom Oaks (8) Epsom Derby (4) St. Leger Stakes (4) | |
| Honours | |
| Champion Trainer (1976, 1978, 1979, 1982, 1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1990, 1993) Sir Henry Cecil Stakes at Newmarket Racecourse British Champions Series Hall of Fame (2022) | |
| Significant horses | |
| Wollow, Kris, Le Moss, Ardross, Diesis, Slip Anchor, Oh So Sharp, Reference Point, Belmez, Indian Skimmer, Michelozzo, Commander in Chief, King's Theatre, Snow Bride, Ramruma, Bosra Sham, Reams of Verse, Oath, Midday, Twice Over, Frankel | |
Describing his approach to training, Cecil told The Daily Telegraph: "I do everything by instinct really, not by the book. I like to think I’ve got a feeling for and understand my horses, that they tell me what to do really."
Cecil was knighted for services to horse racing in the Queen's 2011 Birthday Honours.