Life and Career Of Sir Henry Cecil

Sir Henry Richard Amherst Cecil, born on 11 January 1943, was a prominent figure in British flat racing, renowned for his exceptional skills as a horse trainer. Over his illustrious career, Cecil was crowned Champion Trainer ten times and claimed 25 domestic Classic victories. His accolades included four wins in the Derby, eight triumphs in the Oaks, six victories in the 1,000 Guineas, three in the 2,000 Guineas, and four wins in the St Leger Stakes. He earned particular fame for his successes with fillies, thanks to his numerous wins in the 1,000 Guineas and Oaks. Adding to his legacy, Cecil showcased his expertise at Royal Ascot, where he trained 75 winners.

When discussing his training style, Cecil mentioned that he relied on instinct rather than strict guidelines. He explained that he believed he had a unique understanding of horses, which allowed them to guide him in making decisions.

In recognition of his contributions to horse racing, Cecil was knighted in the Queen's 2011 Birthday Honours.

Early Life and Education

Cecil entered the world on 11 January 1943, born in a hospital near Aberdeen, just ahead of his twin brother, David. His father, Lt. Hon. Henry Kerr Auchmuty Cecil, tragically lost his life in action with the Parachute Regiment in North Africa shortly before Cecil’s birth. His mother, Rohays Cecil, was the daughter of Major-General Sir James Burnett of Leys, the owner of Crathes Castle in Aberdeenshire.

As a baby, Cecil's mother remarried Captain Cecil Boyd-Rochfort, a five-time Champion Trainer who had trained horses for King George VI. This connection to racing royalty influenced Cecil's future in the sport.

Educated at Sunningdale School and later at Canford School in Dorset, Cecil admitted to being a late bloomer. He recalled being the first boy from his prep school to fail the Common Entrance exam to Eton. Afterwards, he and his twin brother gained experience working at various horse studs, including the Earl of Derby’s Woodland Stud in Newmarket. They furthered their education at the Royal Agricultural College in Cirencester.

The Rise to Fame in Training 

 From 1964 to 1968, Cecil honed his craft working as an assistant at his stepfather’s Freemason Lodge stable. By 1969, he had taken out his own license, securing his first winner with Celestial Cloud at Ripon in May of that year. A few months later, he claimed his first Group One victory when Wolver Hollow triumphed in the Eclipse Stakes. Cecil’s early successes quickly established him as a trainer to watch, with his first Royal Ascot win coming in 1970 when Parthenon took the Queen Alexandra Stakes.

Cecil was known for his flamboyant style, both in fashion and training. In 1973, he secured his first Classic win in Ireland with Cloonagh in the Irish 1,000 Guineas, and two years later, he claimed his first English Classic with Bolkonski in the 2,000 Guineas. His crowning moment came in 1985 when Slip Anchor gave him his first Epsom Derby win. By then, he had taken over Warren Place stables from Sir Noel Murless, his first wife’s father, and turned it into a racing powerhouse.

In 1999, Cecil demonstrated his dominance by winning three of the five Classic races in a single season, and Prince Ahmed bin Salman, owner of one of Cecil’s Derby winners, remarked that winning Classics seemed easy—just send the horse to Henry Cecil.

A Period of Struggle  

Despite his remarkable achievements, Cecil’s career took a downward turn. Several key owner-breeders, including Lord Howard de Walden and Jim Joel, passed away. His personal life also suffered, as his first wife and long-time head lad left, and a rift with Sheikh Mohammed, one of his most prominent owners, resulted in 40 horses being removed from Cecil’s stable. Sheikh Mohammed hinted that a disagreement over the readiness of Mark of Esteem to race at Ascot had caused the split. Cecil, however, maintained that they remained friends.

Cecil’s fortunes continued to decline, and between 2000 and 2006, he did not win a single Group One race. His stable, which once housed 200 horses, dwindled to just 50, and in 2006, he revealed he was battling stomach cancer. His twin brother David had passed away from cancer in 2000, and his second marriage had collapsed publicly. By 2005, his number of winners had fallen drastically, and whispers of his impending retirement grew louder. 

Redemption with Frankel  

Cecil’s return to the top began in 2007 with Light Shift’s victory in the Oaks, marking his 24th Classic win and an eighth in the race. After years of being in the shadows, Cecil was once again among the elite trainers. In 2011, his career reached new heights with the arrival of Frankel, a horse owned by Prince Khalid Abdullah. Frankel remained unbeaten, winning numerous prestigious races, including the 2,000 Guineas and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes. His six-length win in the 2,000 Guineas was hailed as one of the greatest performances ever seen on a British track.

Cecil described Frankel as the best horse he had ever trained, and Timeform rated the colt the highest in their history. Frankel’s dominance continued into 2012, and when he retired undefeated after winning the Champion Stakes at Ascot, Cecil proclaimed that he was likely the greatest horse ever.

Personal Life and Legacy  

Cecil married Julie Murless, the daughter of his mentor, in 1966, but they divorced in 1990. He later married Natalie Payne, but their relationship also ended publicly. In 2008, Cecil married Jane McKeown.

Despite his health challenges, Cecil remained active in racing, attending events whenever possible, even as his battle with stomach cancer persisted. He passed away on 11 June 2013, at the age of 70, in Cambridge. His legacy, however, lives on, with fellow trainers and racing experts referring to him as one of the greatest of all time. Royal Ascot honoured him with a minute’s silence at the 2013 meeting.

Cecil’s remarkable career, filled with both immense success and personal struggles, solidified his status as a true legend of the sport. His final crowning achievement, the undefeated Frankel, remains a testament to his unparalleled skill as a trainer.