The most loveable man in racing circle’s Henry Cecil is to be Knighted as part of the Queen’s celebratory birthday honours.
Cecil who has trained 25 Classic winners to-date including this years 2,000 Guineas winner Frankel, is just as comfortable talking to the Queen herself as he is talking to racegoers and was humbled when told of his imminent honour.
For myself on hearing of this honour to Cecil brings back great memories of when I was a youg boy, my Grandfather “Lord Rest His Soul” was an avid follower of Henry Cecil’s horses and would punt on his many loser’s as well as his great winners.
One of Cecil’s winner’s particularly stand’s out was Bosra Sham winner of the 1996 1,000 guineas and the Champions Stakes the same year. I remember ringing my Grandfather on the morning of one of the week-ends Bosra Sham was due to run and asked him what he thought of the horses chances of winning, he said: “Ah he should win” then paused and said “How’s your Father” and without letting him finish his sentence replied “Ah he’s grand” just then the money ran out of the phone booth on my side so went home.
The next day I was readin through the News of the World racing results and came upon a 16/1 winner aptly named “How’s Yer Father” , yes you’ve guessed it! My Grandfather had tried to tell me too bet on this horse but because the money in the phone booth was about to run-out I never let him finish his sentence and I missed out on a 16/1 winner. Nonetheless the next time I visited him he handed me a £10 note after missing out on backing the horse which romped in at 16/1. And yes I eventually lost that in the bookie’s also. But enjoyed doing so as I watched it all go down the swanny with my wonderful Grandad.
