Sir Henry Richard Amherst Cecil | |
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Occupation | Trainer |
Born |
Aberdeen, Scotland |
11 January 1943
Died | 11 June 2013 Cambridge, England |
(aged 70)
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) |
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Honours | |
Champion Trainer (1976, 1978, 1979, 1982, 1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1990, 1993) Sir Henry Cecil Stakes at Newmarket Racecourse |
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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 |
Sir Henry Richard Amherst Cecil (11 January 1943 – 11 June 2013) was a British flat racing horse trainer. He was widely regarded as one of the greatest trainers in history. Cecil was Champion Trainer 10 times and, as of June 2012, had trained 25 domestic Classic winners, comprising four winners of the Epsom Derby, eight winners of the Epsom Oaks, six winners of the 1,000 Guineas, three of the 2,000 Guineas and four winners of the St. Leger Stakes. His success in the Epsom Oaks and the 1,000 Guineas made him particularly renowned for his success with fillies. He was the Master Trainer at Royal Ascot, where he successfully trained 75 winners.
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.
Cecil was born on 11 January 1943 in a hospital near Aberdeen, ten minutes ahead of his twin brother David. His father, Lt. Hon. Henry Kerr Auchmuty Cecil, younger brother of the 3rd Lord Amherst of Hackney, had been killed in action with the Parachute Regiment in North Africa six weeks earlier, between 30 November and 2 December 1942. His mother, Rohays Cecil, was the daughter of Major-General Sir James Burnett of Leys, 13th Baronet, owner of Crathes Castle, Aberdeenshire.