Henry Cecil dies

Rest in Peace Henry Cecil - a brilliant trainer and a great gentleman. He looked so frail and ill last year at the Champions Stake, but he had seemed to rally - it has been a long illness, very gallantly borne. All sympathy to his family and friends.

RIP to a true legend, one that will be sorely missed in the world of racing

A genius, and unfailingly courteous and kind.

The epitome of Old England.

Fair to say, surely, that Henry Cecil attracted a fair amount of criticism (resentment?) early in his career, a silver spoon sticking out of his mouth even as he first took out a licence?

A sense that he had to prove himself and prove himself again, and again, to earn the respect he certainly deserved.

Great trainer and there'll be some great stories told, no doubt.

Without doubt the greatst English trainer of the post War era and arguably any era.A flawed genius,introvert,aloof,fastidious,he placed the well being of his horses infront of everybody and everything.Never happy in the public glare,he shunned the press whenever possible and felt most at ease when in the rose gardens at Warren Place.Loved by the racing public,admired by fellow trainers,repected by all his staff,he raised the bar to new heights in his five decades at the top,bottom and top again.His achievements would fill these pages,far far too many to mention but like the name Lester Piggott,when people mention the name Henry Richard Amhurst Cecil in one hundred years from now it will stir the blood.