The end of the 2015 Flat racing season will close an illustrious chapter in UK horseracing. At the end of this season Lady Cecil will retire from training racehorses and Warren Place, the training base of her late husband Sir Henry Cecil, will be sold.
Lady Cecil said: "Training, for me, has always been about working with the horses and the team here at Warren Place. That has been a major factor in why I have continued since Henry died two years ago."
"Therefore, I confirm that at the end of the Flat season, I will stop training. Until then, the team and I will continue to work hard to achieve as much as we can with the horses."
Sir Henry took over at Warren Place in 1976.
Showing posts with label Sir Henry Cecil. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sir Henry Cecil. Show all posts
26 June 2015
01 September 2013
Book Review: Henry Cecil Trainer of Genius
Brough Scott (2013) Henry Cecil Trainer of Genius. Racing Post Books
My own interest in horseracing began just as Sir Henry Cecil’s training fortunes were taking a downward turn, so this book was a good way to learn about his glory days in the 1980s and 1990s.
Sir Henry seemed represent a bridge between the old and the new in the training establishment. As the author comments, “Warren Place was as different from Marriott Stables in style and background as Henry was from his father-in-law [Sir Noel Murless, from whom Cecil took over training at Warren Place]”.
The book contains an excellent collection of photos from across Sir Henry’s training career and they helped bring colour to the anecdotes and racing achievements.
It is a shame that Sir Henry did not seem to approve of the final publication because it stands as a comprehensive account of a complex man’s life. The author says, “what you have read is my affectionate, admiring but I believe necessarily realistic portrait of an extraordinary man and a quite exceptional career”.
The book closes with a fitting tribute:
“His has been the greatest racing story ever told, because the career which he brought to a climax with Frankel has the quality that only the gods can bestow. It’s called immortality”.
My own interest in horseracing began just as Sir Henry Cecil’s training fortunes were taking a downward turn, so this book was a good way to learn about his glory days in the 1980s and 1990s.
Sir Henry seemed represent a bridge between the old and the new in the training establishment. As the author comments, “Warren Place was as different from Marriott Stables in style and background as Henry was from his father-in-law [Sir Noel Murless, from whom Cecil took over training at Warren Place]”.
The book contains an excellent collection of photos from across Sir Henry’s training career and they helped bring colour to the anecdotes and racing achievements.
It is a shame that Sir Henry did not seem to approve of the final publication because it stands as a comprehensive account of a complex man’s life. The author says, “what you have read is my affectionate, admiring but I believe necessarily realistic portrait of an extraordinary man and a quite exceptional career”.
The book closes with a fitting tribute:
“His has been the greatest racing story ever told, because the career which he brought to a climax with Frankel has the quality that only the gods can bestow. It’s called immortality”.
24 August 2013
Ebor 2013: Tiger Earns His Ebor Stripes
The TV cameras caught a definite puff of the cheeks from Tom Queally just after the winning post in the Ebor, as if to say ‘Phew! That was close.’ The jockey had just steered Tiger Cliff (5/1) to victory in the valuable heritage handicap but it had looked unlikely with just a few furlongs to go.
Tiger Cliff was still several lengths behind the leaders with two furlongs left to run. But Queally kept urging his partner onwards and hit the front with just a few strides left. The winning margin was half a length.
By contrast, Genzy (second at 11/1) perhaps hit the lead too soon and left himself open to just such a late attack as was launched by the winner.
Persistent, heavy overnight rain had softened the ground on the Knavesmire and resulted in a number of non-runners, reducing the field to 14. But softer ground was no concern to Lady Cecil’s gelding:
“He handled the ground well. We were happy to see the rain,” Queally said afterwards. “He always finishes he races well.”
The four-year-old has only raced seven times, which is not many for a gelding of his age. Indeed, he never saw the racecourse as a two-year-old, a product of Sir Henry Cecil’s patience and insistence on letting the horse tell him when he was ready. That patience was rewarded today.
Tiger Cliff was still several lengths behind the leaders with two furlongs left to run. But Queally kept urging his partner onwards and hit the front with just a few strides left. The winning margin was half a length.
By contrast, Genzy (second at 11/1) perhaps hit the lead too soon and left himself open to just such a late attack as was launched by the winner.
Persistent, heavy overnight rain had softened the ground on the Knavesmire and resulted in a number of non-runners, reducing the field to 14. But softer ground was no concern to Lady Cecil’s gelding:
“He handled the ground well. We were happy to see the rain,” Queally said afterwards. “He always finishes he races well.”
The four-year-old has only raced seven times, which is not many for a gelding of his age. Indeed, he never saw the racecourse as a two-year-old, a product of Sir Henry Cecil’s patience and insistence on letting the horse tell him when he was ready. That patience was rewarded today.
24 June 2013
Royal Ascot 2013: Day 4
Richard Hughes’ ride aboard Sky Lantern (9/2 jf) in the Coronation Stakes was the highlight of day four of Royal Ascot 2013.
Hughes had a wide draw on the 1000 Guineas winner and decided to drop in at the back of the field in the early stages. In the home straight he took the filly wide of the field to pass her rivals. She quickened her pace very well in the closing furlong and drew away to win by four lengths. It was a ride of great confidence, especially as Hughes had endured a frustrating week to that point.
The Queen’s Vase was run in memory of Sir Henry Cecil but Disclaimer was not able to win the race for Lady Jane. Instead, Leading Light (5/4f) for Aidan O’Brien was the well-backed winner.
O’Brien had endured disappointment earlier on the card when the odds-on favourite Battle Of Marengo (10/11f) was defeated by Sir Michael Stoute’s Hillstar (15/2) in the King Edward VII Stakes.
Champion jumps trainer Nicky Henderson saddled Forgotten Voice to win the Wolferton Handicap at 12/1 on a day on which the bookmakers just had the upper hand.
20 June 2013
Royal Ascot 2013: Day 3
The Americans struck in the opening Group 2 Norfolk Stakes with the Wesley Ward-trained No Nay Never (4/1). The lack of rain at Ascot meant the going was good to firm and the colt set a course record for two-year-olds over five furlongs (58.80 seconds).
Lady Cecil carried on Sir Henry’s great record at Royal Ascot by sending Riposte (9/2) out to win the Ribblesdale Stakes, just over a week after he passed away. Tom Queally asked the filly for her effort over a furlong from home and she responded with a good burst of speed that her rivals could not match. She ran out a comfortable winner by two and a quarter lengths.
Her Majesty the Queen then became the first reigning monarch to win the Gold Cup when her runner Estimate (7/2f), trained by Sir Michael Stoute, took the prize. The filly had a real battle with Simenon and Top Trip in the final furlong and just prevailed by a neck. The result gave great delight to Her Majesty and she received the Gold Cup, which she usually presents, from her son Prince Andrew, Duke of York.
Bookmakers got some respite in the Britannia Stakes after paying out on some well-backed horse in the earlier races because Roca Tumu was the winner at 20/1. Tariki (33/1), Queensberry Rules (16/1), and Wentworth (7/2f) filled the places in behind.
But the bookies suffered again in the Tercentenary Stakes when the strongly fancied Remote (9/4f) took the honours for John Gosden and William Buick. At the start of June Remote was winning a Class 2 Handicap at Doncaster and before that a maiden stakes at Newbury.
Her Majesty was not able to make it a double on the day as favourite Bold Sniper was unable to get to the winner Elidor (20/1) (Mick Channon) in the King George V Stakes. Elidor gave jockey Martin Harley his first Royal Ascot winner and he showed his elation as he passed the winning post.
Surprisingly, the award for nonsense phrase of the day on Channel 4 Racing went not to Brix Smith but Clare Balding for her assertion that “you cannot predict history” in the aftermath of the Queen’s Gold Cup win.
Lady Cecil carried on Sir Henry’s great record at Royal Ascot by sending Riposte (9/2) out to win the Ribblesdale Stakes, just over a week after he passed away. Tom Queally asked the filly for her effort over a furlong from home and she responded with a good burst of speed that her rivals could not match. She ran out a comfortable winner by two and a quarter lengths.
Her Majesty the Queen then became the first reigning monarch to win the Gold Cup when her runner Estimate (7/2f), trained by Sir Michael Stoute, took the prize. The filly had a real battle with Simenon and Top Trip in the final furlong and just prevailed by a neck. The result gave great delight to Her Majesty and she received the Gold Cup, which she usually presents, from her son Prince Andrew, Duke of York.
Bookmakers got some respite in the Britannia Stakes after paying out on some well-backed horse in the earlier races because Roca Tumu was the winner at 20/1. Tariki (33/1), Queensberry Rules (16/1), and Wentworth (7/2f) filled the places in behind.
But the bookies suffered again in the Tercentenary Stakes when the strongly fancied Remote (9/4f) took the honours for John Gosden and William Buick. At the start of June Remote was winning a Class 2 Handicap at Doncaster and before that a maiden stakes at Newbury.
Her Majesty was not able to make it a double on the day as favourite Bold Sniper was unable to get to the winner Elidor (20/1) (Mick Channon) in the King George V Stakes. Elidor gave jockey Martin Harley his first Royal Ascot winner and he showed his elation as he passed the winning post.
Surprisingly, the award for nonsense phrase of the day on Channel 4 Racing went not to Brix Smith but Clare Balding for her assertion that “you cannot predict history” in the aftermath of the Queen’s Gold Cup win.
11 June 2013
Sir Henry Cecil: 1943 – 2013
Few of us will get the chance to go out at the top, not least because few of us will ever reach the top. We will simply bumble along in mediocrity, decline, and then stop.
The fact that Sir Henry Cecil died not only when he was at the top of his profession but also when he had just seen Frankel, the best racehorse of a generation, successfully into retirement after an unbeaten career afforded the end of his life a dignity and completeness that his achievements deserved.
Sir Henry was often viewed as a dandy, immaculately turned out at the racecourse, a man of refinement. But there must have been steel core to the man who had to endure personal tragedy and severe health problems but still had the fire to haul his professional career back from the deepest depths up to the glorious heights.
The sadness came from seeing Sir Henry’s physical decline mirrored against the imposing strength of Frankel as the two stood side-by-side in the winner’s enclosure last season.
Brough Scott’s recent biography of the 10-time champion trainer is sitting on my table waiting to be read. With Sir Henry’s passing it will be read with a greater sense of poignancy and emotion now.
It will be a Royal Ascot tinged with sadness next week.
Sir Henry Cecil:
Training career: 1969 – 2013
Champion trainer 10 times
75 Royal Ascot winners
4 Derby wins, 8 Oaks wins
Trainer of Frankel, 14 races unbeaten, including 2000 Guineas, St James’ Palace Stakes, Champion Stakes
The fact that Sir Henry Cecil died not only when he was at the top of his profession but also when he had just seen Frankel, the best racehorse of a generation, successfully into retirement after an unbeaten career afforded the end of his life a dignity and completeness that his achievements deserved.
Sir Henry was often viewed as a dandy, immaculately turned out at the racecourse, a man of refinement. But there must have been steel core to the man who had to endure personal tragedy and severe health problems but still had the fire to haul his professional career back from the deepest depths up to the glorious heights.
The sadness came from seeing Sir Henry’s physical decline mirrored against the imposing strength of Frankel as the two stood side-by-side in the winner’s enclosure last season.
Brough Scott’s recent biography of the 10-time champion trainer is sitting on my table waiting to be read. With Sir Henry’s passing it will be read with a greater sense of poignancy and emotion now.
It will be a Royal Ascot tinged with sadness next week.
Sir Henry Cecil:
Training career: 1969 – 2013
Champion trainer 10 times
75 Royal Ascot winners
4 Derby wins, 8 Oaks wins
Trainer of Frankel, 14 races unbeaten, including 2000 Guineas, St James’ Palace Stakes, Champion Stakes
03 May 2013
Racing Preview: Qipco 1000 Guineas
The Qipco 1000 Guineas is the second Classic race of the British Flat season, taking place on the day after the 2000 Guineas. It is run over a mile at Newmarket’s Rowley Mile course and is open only to 3yo fillies.
As with the 2000 Guineas, the 1000 Guineas has had some big-priced outsiders win the event in recent years. Aidan O’Brien’s Homecoming Queen won the 2012 renewal of the race at 25/1, whilst the 2011 race went to Blue Bunting at 16/1.
In 2010 Sir Henry Cecil’s Jacqueline Quest was first past the post at 66/1 by a nose from Criquette Head-Maarek’s Special Duty. But the result was reversed in a stewards’ enquiry, giving the race to the French filly.
If Jacqueline Quest had kept the race it would have been Sir Henry’s first win in the Classic since Wince in 1999. The trainer has the current favourite for the 2013 Qipco 1000 Guineas in the shape of Hot Snap (5/2).
1000 Guineas: Leading Contenders
Hot Snap: Unbeaten in two runs, Sir Henry Cecil’s filly moved to the head of the 1000 Guineas betting with a win in the Nell Gwyn Stakes at Newmarket in April. She beat fellow 1000 Guineas entry Sky Lantern on that occasion.
Quoted on his website sirhenrycecil.com, Sir Henry believes: "The mile will suit her better and hopefully the experience of the Nell Gwyn will have brought her on. She is coming in her coat but will always be a very tall filly with plenty of bone (and) not over-robust.”
Just The Judge: Another unbeaten filly, with two wins over 7f at Newbury and a Group 2 victory in the Rockfel Stakes, also over 7f, at Newmarket (Rowley Mile) in October 2012. Has not had a preparation race, unlike some of her rivals, but connections were pleased with her final serious work out on Saturday 27 April.
What A Name: Trained in France by Mikel Delzangles, who won the 2000 Guineas with Makfi in 2010 at 33/1. What A Name won the Group 3 Priz La Rochette at Longchamp in September 2012 before putting up a very good performance against the colts when runner-up in heavy ground to Olympic Glory in the Group 1 Grand Criterium (Longchamp). Has had a run this season, winning the Group 3 Prix Imprudence (7f) at Maisons-Laffitte in early April.
Sky Lantern: Finished second to Hot Snap when favourite for the Nell Gwyn Stakes at Newmarket’s Craven Meeting in April. Jockey Richard Hughes said firmer ground would suit the filly better and if the ground is firmer for the 1000 Guineas you might see a different result. Sky Lantern was also carrying a 3lb penalty that day for her Group 1 win in the Moyglare Stud Stakes at the Curragh (September 2012).
Moth: Aidan O’Brien’s filly was supplemented for the 1000 Guineas earlier this week, as she did not originally hold an entry for the Classic. She won a maiden race in good style over 7f at the Curragh in April and quickened well when asked, showing good speed. Paying the GB£ 30,000 to have her added to the line-up is some measure of the faith connections have in the filly.
As with the 2000 Guineas, the 1000 Guineas has had some big-priced outsiders win the event in recent years. Aidan O’Brien’s Homecoming Queen won the 2012 renewal of the race at 25/1, whilst the 2011 race went to Blue Bunting at 16/1.
In 2010 Sir Henry Cecil’s Jacqueline Quest was first past the post at 66/1 by a nose from Criquette Head-Maarek’s Special Duty. But the result was reversed in a stewards’ enquiry, giving the race to the French filly.
If Jacqueline Quest had kept the race it would have been Sir Henry’s first win in the Classic since Wince in 1999. The trainer has the current favourite for the 2013 Qipco 1000 Guineas in the shape of Hot Snap (5/2).
1000 Guineas: Leading Contenders
Hot Snap: Unbeaten in two runs, Sir Henry Cecil’s filly moved to the head of the 1000 Guineas betting with a win in the Nell Gwyn Stakes at Newmarket in April. She beat fellow 1000 Guineas entry Sky Lantern on that occasion.
Quoted on his website sirhenrycecil.com, Sir Henry believes: "The mile will suit her better and hopefully the experience of the Nell Gwyn will have brought her on. She is coming in her coat but will always be a very tall filly with plenty of bone (and) not over-robust.”
Just The Judge: Another unbeaten filly, with two wins over 7f at Newbury and a Group 2 victory in the Rockfel Stakes, also over 7f, at Newmarket (Rowley Mile) in October 2012. Has not had a preparation race, unlike some of her rivals, but connections were pleased with her final serious work out on Saturday 27 April.
What A Name: Trained in France by Mikel Delzangles, who won the 2000 Guineas with Makfi in 2010 at 33/1. What A Name won the Group 3 Priz La Rochette at Longchamp in September 2012 before putting up a very good performance against the colts when runner-up in heavy ground to Olympic Glory in the Group 1 Grand Criterium (Longchamp). Has had a run this season, winning the Group 3 Prix Imprudence (7f) at Maisons-Laffitte in early April.
Sky Lantern: Finished second to Hot Snap when favourite for the Nell Gwyn Stakes at Newmarket’s Craven Meeting in April. Jockey Richard Hughes said firmer ground would suit the filly better and if the ground is firmer for the 1000 Guineas you might see a different result. Sky Lantern was also carrying a 3lb penalty that day for her Group 1 win in the Moyglare Stud Stakes at the Curragh (September 2012).
Moth: Aidan O’Brien’s filly was supplemented for the 1000 Guineas earlier this week, as she did not originally hold an entry for the Classic. She won a maiden race in good style over 7f at the Curragh in April and quickened well when asked, showing good speed. Paying the GB£ 30,000 to have her added to the line-up is some measure of the faith connections have in the filly.
21 April 2013
Newmarket Craven Meeting Review
The Craven Meeting was held over Wednesday and Thursday last week (17-18 April 2013) at Newmarket’s Rowley Mile course. Historically, the Craven Meeting acted as a good guide for horses to watch later in the season and for the Classics. It is certainly worth spending the time watching the races a few times for horses that look like they could progress as the season goes on – such horses are not necessarily those that won their race at the Craven Meeting.
Sir Henry Cecil had a successful meeting, sending out Hot Snap to win the Nell Gwyn Stakes for fillies on the Wednesday and Tickled Pink to win the Abernant Stakes on Thursday.
One feature of the Craven Meeting is strongly fancied horses being beaten early on in the season. Six of the 16 races were won by the favourites over the two days. John Gosden’s Ghurair was even money favourite for the valuable 200,000 Tattersalls Millions 3yo Trophy but was beaten into a narrow third by Mark Johnston’s Windhoek and Greatwood for Luca Cumani.
Sir Henry Cecil’s Stipulate (15/8 favourite) was beaten into second by Mull Of Killough in the Earl Of Sefton Stakes, whilst Sky Lantern (11/4 favourite) finished second behind Hot Snap in the Nell Gwyn Stakes.
Richard Hannon’s three-year-old Toronado (8/11 favourite) looked impressive when winning the Craven Stakes, albeit in small four-runner field. Richard Hughes made every yard of the running in the mile contest and only really faced a half-heated challenge from Dundonnell at the two furlong post. The High Chaparral colt is now unbeaten in four runs and is currently 3/1 second favourite for the Qipco 2000 Guineas, which will be run over the same course and distance on 4 May 2013.
It was a shame that the Craven Meeting was not shown on terrestrial television, given the meeting’s position at the start of the Flat season.
Channel 4 Racing said: “90 days per year is the biggest commitment to racing Channel 4 has ever shown, but unfortunately the Craven Meeting is among those to miss out.”
I would have preferred to have been able to watch at least one day of the Craven Meeting on Channel 4 rather than the Saturday’s mediocre racing they showed from Kempton (all weather) and Doncaster on the weekend (13 April) prior to the Craven.
It is certainly true that the Craven Meeting does not have the importance it once did as a trial for the bigger races later in the season – as shown by the relatively small fields for Craven Stakes, Earl Of Sefton Stakes, and Feilden Stakes – but either day of the meeting still had more merit from a racing perspective than the previous Saturday’s fare.
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