- This topic has 129 replies, 51 voices, and was last updated 12 years, 10 months ago by
.
- Posts
Sir Henry Cecil, like myself, had a cynical disdain for handicaps.
He once said that more often than not, many horses did not run on merit or were allowed to show their true capabilities in these races ( which was contrary to his beliefs ), adding that in many cases, handicaps were used solely by some trainers as a means of gaining some future advantage.
Hence why he tended to give them a wide berth.
He was a man of principle, a master of his craft, and will be sorely missed.
Gambling Only Pays When You're Winning
And yet he landed a right touch with Kneller in the Ebor, Himself.
Still, at least there was no cheating or malpractice involved. Henry merely protected the horse’s handicap mark by not running him again after he’d hacked up at Pontefract in April.
And yet he landed a right touch with Kneller in the Ebor, Himself.
Still, at least there was no cheating or malpractice involved. Henry merely protected the horse’s handicap mark by not running him again after he’d hacked up at Pontefract in April.
Yep, I know that. The Ebor is a better class of handicap. He also won the race with Tuning.
Although his horses did run in a few, he still disliked them as a rule and generally avoided them like the plague. 
Gambling Only Pays When You're Winning
These are the sort of stories and reminiscence that should have gone into Sir Henry’s life story, personal tributes from people whose lives he has touched and the horses, the great and the not so well known each of whom hold their own stories of hope and sometimes tinged with sadness as his life was throughout his career.
What wonderful tributes everyone has paid the great man. One story leading to another from Joni whose life he has touched from a young boy to Hammy whose stories are as full of colour as Sir Henry’s rose garden..
Today Sir Henry’s horses started to pay tribute to their late trainer with Morpheus half brother to his beloved Frankel winning at Nottingham and Songbird at Yarmouth..
…strange coincidence that I was listening to Eva Cassidy today in my car and Fields of Gold brought a tear to my eye, it’s a favouirite song of mine and I dedicate it to Sir Henry.My best memory of Sir Henry was in the winners enclosure on the last Champions Day held at Newmarket when Frankel won the Dewhurst and Twice Over won the Champion Stakes in 2010 the atmosphere was electric and he was brimmning over with happiness. It’s going to take some time to accept that he has gone and it sounds silly but I know I’ll be looking out for him as I always do when I’m next at Newmarket.
That was some day wasn’t it Jac! I was sooo nervous driving to the track as it was my first time seeing Frankel. As I drove to the course I saw with horror that it had rained heavily. "Surely this will suit Dream Ahead" I thought. Remember how he had galloped away with the Middle Park on that ground? I was even fearful Frankel might be withdrawn. I needn’t have worried. I was SO relieved when he won and then Twice Over popped up in the next. More than I could have dreamt of! And you’re right the reception was unbelievable. Those days you will take to your grave. A lovely post Jac.
And thank you Gladiateur for correcting me on both those counts!
A wonderful day Joni, I can understand your anxiety, I felt much the same, as Dream Ahead looked the part in the paddock but spent most of the Dewhurst going up and down on the spot after being passed by Frankel, his day came in 2011 when he won the July Cup from Bated Breath.
I’m sure Newmarket racecourse are at this moment planning how to pay tribute to the great man, perhaps name a stand in his honour or a statue close to the winners enclosure, certainly there will be a race named after him, his memory will live on.
Things turn out best for those who make the best of how things turn out...I would so like Henry’s legacy to continue.
Here here Joni!
Precocious
was a half brother to
Pushy
Henrys 2yo filly who won the 1980 Queen Mary but what was the owners name in those famous Purple and white colours with Black cap and gold tassle……..Its on the tip of me tongue mate!
I don’t remember Pushy but I do recall the owners of Bluebook being very excited about her running as she was a daughter of Pushy. She won that day but didn’t make it to the top.
Regarding Saumarez I recall a conversation with my mate about owners registering horses as bays rather than blacks as it was considered unlucky to have a black horse. When my mate clapped eyes on Saumarez for the first time he exclaimed rather loudly:-
"He’s as black as pish"
I never understood it at the time and I still don’t and can only wonder if my mate was passing pure tar down the porcelain wall.
Ever Genial was the first Henry Cecil horse I ever backed and I also did Lanfranco around the same time. Diminuendo and Salse were good to me along with Sleepytime and Reams Of Verse on the ante-post side. I remember watching Moohshell win on her debut at Leicester and I thought of Diminuendo immediately and nabbed 25/1 for the Oaks. Sadly it was one that won under a different trainer but the money still spent the same.
I had my Timeform horses of 1987 annual out last night and was nostalgic about how many really good ones Sir Henry had on the go that year. Magical memories of a unique man, it brings warmth to your heart on the coldest of days.
Thanks for the good crack. Time for me to move on. Be lucky.
I didn’t catch the exact time, but they’ve just mentioned a tribute to Sir Henry on Five Live this evening.
Billion struggles to get on here these days but wanted to add his own tribute to Sir Henry.
I think I have heard and read all the wonderful tributes to the sad passing of Sir Henry Cecil but could not allow the moment to pass without saying how sorry I was to hear the sad news.
Sentiment explains the like of such expressions as the like will never be seen again which may or not be correct but in the very least it shows what his fellow trainers, former jockeys associated with Warren Place and the general public thought of him.
R.I.P.
Gaelic Warrior Gold Cup Winner 2026
TAPK: the owner was the Tavistock family, whose other winners include Japan Cup victor Jupiter Island.
Joni: Precocious was a colt, not a filly. Henry trained a filly called Be My Valentine, who won her maiden and then dead-heated in the St Hugh’s Stakes in 1983, only to be named the outright winner some days later. She never ran again, to the best of my recollection.I’m too polite to correct Joni, Gladiateur!!
Well remembered though aboutBe my Valentine
! do you recall the time Henry ran a colt called
Wolsey
in the Magnet Cup? Was it Lord or Lady Howards colours? And what did him on the line? Its going back sometime I know but you obviously know your stuff,cheers,Gord.
I echo everything said above.
RIP Sir Henry. Please say hello to my dad if you see him.
TAPK: the owner was the Tavistock family, whose other winners include Japan Cup victor Jupiter Island.
Joni: Precocious was a colt, not a filly. Henry trained a filly called Be My Valentine, who won her maiden and then dead-heated in the St Hugh’s Stakes in 1983, only to be named the outright winner some days later. She never ran again, to the best of my recollection.I’m too polite to correct Joni, Gladiateur!!
Well remembered though aboutBe my Valentine
! do you recall the time Henry ran a colt called
Wolsey
in the Magnet Cup? Was it Lord or Lady Howards colours? And what did him on the line? Its going back sometime I know but you obviously know your stuff,cheers,Gord.
I remember that Magnet Cup because I had backed the first past the post Knockando of Luca Cumani’s who had caused some interference. Once the dead-heat was called for second place between Wolsey and Guy Harwood’s Brave Dancer, I knew mine would be disqualified and so it proved.
Thanks for the good crack. Time for me to move on. Be lucky.
I have been following racing since the mid 1970’s and even as a young lad I could see that Sir Henry was something special, he just had an aura about him. This respect/adulation grew over the years until of course we came to Frankel. An old cliche I know but the game simply won’t be the same without him.
Just reading these tributes brings back memories of so many great horses. One name that stays in the memory banks is Saison. She made her racecourse debut early in her 3 year old career, I remember it was at Newbury on a Saturday because it was on Grandstand so I’m guessing it was on Greenham Day. There was a lot of hype before the race and she won at long odds on. On the back of this she was made favourite for the 1000 Guineas but came up short and then seemed to disappear from view. Is there anyone with a better memory than me about her other exploits.
Just reading these tributes brings back memories of so many great horses. One name that stays in the memory banks is Saison. She made her racecourse debut early in her 3 year old career, I remember it was at Newbury on a Saturday because it was on Grandstand so I’m guessing it was on Greenham Day. There was a lot of hype before the race and she won at long odds on. On the back of this she was made favourite for the 1000 Guineas but came up short and then seemed to disappear from view. Is there anyone with a better memory than me about her other exploits.
I remember that race as if it was yesterday. It was Newbury. I backed Saison. I think everyone did as she was said to be "catching pigeons" ( an oft used phrase at the time in the press ) at home. She was ridden by Joe Mercer and won in an absolute canter.
Mercer rode her in the 1,000 Guineas ( fav ) – John Dunlop’s Quick As Lightning won the race.
Saison didn’t stay and finished well beaten. A bit of a one race wonder as I cannot remember the filly winning any other races after that.
Gambling Only Pays When You're Winning
I have been following racing since the mid 1970’s and even as a young lad I could see that Sir Henry was something special, he just had an aura about him. This respect/adulation grew over the years until of course we came to Frankel. An old cliche I know but the game simply won’t be the same without him.
Just reading these tributes brings back memories of so many great horses. One name that stays in the memory banks is Saison. She made her racecourse debut early in her 3 year old career, I remember it was at Newbury on a Saturday because it was on Grandstand so I’m guessing it was on Greenham Day. There was a lot of hype before the race and she won at long odds on. On the back of this she was made favourite for the 1000 Guineas but came up short and then seemed to disappear from view. Is there anyone with a better memory than me about her other exploits.
Here is a link to the Glasgow Herald racing pages from April 19th 1980, where you can find the card for the Newbury meeting and the 2.00 race the Bucklebury Maiden where Saison made her debut. It sends a shiver down my spine to think I was still at school then. It would be odd today to think a horse could win a maiden like that so close to the Guineas and then go off favourite for the big one.
http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2 … 61,4195526
Hello Gorgeous was running in the 2.30 on the same card, The Greenham.
Thanks for the good crack. Time for me to move on. Be lucky.
Slip Anchor’s Derby win had gone under my radar until this touching thread sparked me off to watch it again … and what a stunning win it was under Steve Cauthen’s masterful ride. Pure magic from the all-conquering force of Sir Henry Cecil.
My God, Sir Henry’s passing has certainly rekindled some wicked memories that lay dormant in the back of my mind…
Many years ago, I remember backing a newcomer called Sharpish who shaped as though he was going prevail on his debut until a horse named Salieri quickened through the field and easily disposed of my selection by 2 or 3 lengths. I then thought that Salieri was the best thing since sliced bread until the Dick Hern trained Gorytus turned up and made very short work of him!Anyone remember El Cuite? A very talented horse who possessed massive potential but never quite hit the heights because of bad luck.
Dunbeath too. A cracking 2YO that got me all excited about being a possible 2000 Guineas winner the following season but it never happened.
The tribute to Sir Henry at the end of Channel 4 Racing was a touch emotional. The part where it showed his silhouette walk away leaving the sun behind him before finishing with the painting of his smiling face brought a tear to my eye and a lump in my throat.
Still can’t believe he’s gone.
I remember my dad taking me to the 1976 Whitbread so that I could see the mighty Red Rum in the flesh but he could pile onto a promising Derby candidate trained by a certain H R A Cecil called Take Your Place. Beaten 2L at odds of 8/13 by Riboboy in the Classic Trial he would cost odds on backers dear in the Dante before a final throw of the dice reverting to a mile in the St James’s Palace Stakes saw he him once again finish out of the money. The long journey home from Sandown that day had well and truly put the master of Warren Place onto my radar and when Wollow swept to classic victory only four days later not only was my Dad back on good terms with himself but a fascination with the maestro had begun – not to mention the Red, White and Green silks of Carlo D’Alessio which would become forever associated with the great Le Moss a matter of three years later.
Eleven years on, with Cecil now at the very height of his powers in his record breaking season, the Charlie St George owned Sanquirico was the main ingredient of one of my happiest days racing back at the Esher track. A beautifully hot summer’s day for the 1987 Solario, earlier in the week my father had hatched a plot to win a packet on the double of Daarkom in the Ebor and Tryptych in the Matchmaker International – we must have won in excess of £1,500 each. Armed with bundles of cash we went on to Sandown on the Friday to back Sanquirico at short odds and the result was never in doubt – Cauthen in control all the way up the home straight. Must have stopped off at every pub between Waterloo and Clapham on the way home.
Of course Reference Point had provided similar joy (financial and liquid) in the Derby two months earlier on an equally beautiful day. Having picked him out in the previous season’s Futurity (against his more fancied stablemate Suhailie) we had lumped on at York in the Dante as much out of relief to see him back on the racecourse as anything else. Returned 13/8, all roads led to Epsom where I will never forget my dad saying to me “he’s beaten” as Cauthen picked up his whip with Most Welcome almost getting on terms a furlong and a half from home. I never lost the faith and let out a loud “Go on Stevie” just to make sure and an already beautiful day got a whole lot better.
I always had a soft spot for Bluebook (she ran in the colours of the Tavistock family – white and purple stripes, black velvet cap and gold tassel) who fittingly made her debut in the Cecil Boyd-Rochfort Stakes at Newmarket’s July meeting. I was at Ascot to see Reference Point make amends in the King George for his reversal in the Eclipse but 40 minutes earlier was rewarded for taking on Stavros Niarchos’s Magic Of Life with the little Cecil trained filly in the Princess Margaret Stakes. Sadly temperament got the better of her in the Lowther when she was awash with sweat and she would never fulfil the high hopes we all had for her after her Ascot romp. Magic Of Life would go on to haunt me in the Mill Reef Stakes when lowering the colours of the odds on Rahy and the following season when she caused a big shock at 16/1 when putting impressive 1,000 Guineas winner Ravinella to the sword in the Coronation Stakes (incidentally Ravinella’s colours were carried to victory in this afternoon’s Prix De Diane).
As recently as 2011 myself and my dad had the privilege of meeting the great man at his historic yard, moments we will treasure for the rest of our lives. He seemed genuinely flattered as I quizzed him about the great horses of years gone by and shared with us the hilarious anecdote about Louis Freedman which led to the use of coloured armbands when owners came to view their charges at work – when I said "oh that’ll explain the orange one you used this morning" he replied "you mean apricot".
When I asked him if he thought Reference Point would have won the triple crown had he not fell victim to a sinus condition in the early part of 1987 he assured me he wouldn’t have had the speed to deal with "the Hannon animal".
As a footnote, a bit of clarity on the Vacarme saga. The Richmond Stakes disqualification of Vacarme is often incorrectly cited as the reason that Piggott lost the ride on the Wildenstein horses housed at Warren Place.
Piggott actually rode Vacarme six weeks later to land the Mill Reef Stakes by 2 ½ l from Fawzl at odds of 2/7f.
The chief reason Piggott was “sacked” by Wildenstein was his decision to ride Awaasif (John Dunlop/Sheikh Mohammed) rather than All Along in the 1983 Arc. Piggott was replaced by Joe Mercer on Vacarme in the Middle Park Stakes which was run the Thursday before the Arc.
If Piggott had not got off All Along it is highly likely that he would have remained stable jockey at Warren Place. Once Daniel Wildenstein announced on Arc day that “Piggott never rides for me again” Cecil made the decision that he wanted a stable jockey who could ride all of his horses which immediately precluded Piggott from keeping the job, which is when he turned to Steve Cauthen, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Although his horses did run in a few, he still disliked them as a rule and generally avoided them like the plague. 
Well remembered though about
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.