Sir Henry Cecil: Legendary, Horse race trainer, dies aged 70

Sir Henry Cecil, 10-time champion trainer, has died at the age of 70.
Responsible for 25 British Classic winners, Cecil was also the leading handler at Royal Ascot with a record 75 successes.

Knighted by the Queen in 2011, his later years saw him battle cancer.

"It is with great sadness that Warren Place Stables confirms the passing of Sir Henry Cecil earlier this morning," said a statement posted on www.sirhenrycecil.com.  

He had his first British Classic win with Bolkonski in the 1975 renewal of the 2000 Guineas at New market, following up in the same race a year later with Wollow.

Both horses were ridden by Frankie Dettori's father, Gianfranco.
Cecil excelled with fillies, and trained six 1,000 Guineas winners and eight Oaks victors, his last Epsom heroine being Light Shift in 2007.

He had four Derby winners - Slip Anchor, Reference Point, Commander In Chief and Oath - and four St Leger triumphs. Among his Leger winners was Oh So Sharp, who completed the fillies' Triple Crown of 1000 Guineas, Oaks and Leger under Steve Cauthen, with whom Cecil enjoyed a spectacular association.

But for all the great horses to pass through his care, the best was saved until last in Frankel. who retired to stud with an unbeaten 14-race record.