Legendary English trainer Henry Cecil has been awarded a knighthood in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List.
The 68-year-old is widely acknowledged as one of the greatest trainers in history.
After serving as assistant to his stepfather Cecil Boyd-Rochford for four years, Cecil took out his licence in 1969 and he has not looked back since.
Cecil has saddled a total of 25 British Classic winners, including this season’s 2000 Guineas hero Frankel, as well as a record 72 Royal Ascot winners and has been crowned champion trainer 10 times.
He dominated English racing until the late 1990s, but his career stalled early in the new millennium with a few sparse years prompting rumours of retirement.
However, Passage Of Time’s Criterium de Saint-Cloud victory in 2006 meant the Group One flag was flying above Warren Place again and was the first indication Cecil’s star would once more soon be in the ascendancy.
He revealed in February 2007 he had been receiving treatment for stomach cancer for the previous nine months but his ailing health did not stop him sending out Light Shift for an emotional victory in the Oaks that June.
Although he is still being treated for cancer, Cecil has been almost the force of old, with the likes of dual Champion Stakes winner Twice Over and five-time Group One winner Midday among the flagbearers for his yard in recent seasons.
Indeed, Cecil will very much be the centre of attention again on Tuesday as Frankel bids to supplement his scintillating 2000 Guineas win with victory in the St James’s Palace Stakes on the opening day of Royal Ascot.
“I would like to thank everyone involved in giving it to me,” Cecil told Sky Sports News.
“It was a surprise and I feel almost numb. It was a funny feeling and I can’t really describe it – it’s a good feeling.
“I don’t think it will make any difference (being called Sir Henry). All will be the same and I hope people will treat me the same as well.”
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