Legends | Sir Henry Cecil

Relive Matt Chapman's brilliant interview with Sir Henry Cecil in pre-Frankel times with no ads. It's an hour and a half of pure gold.
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[@Elliot-T]

"Don't trust a person whose eye's are too close together" Life lessons from the late Sir Henry Cecil.

[@edmondscott7444]

His illness and death were a sad loss to Tom Queally. They were both great with Frankel.

[@thereckoning8326]

Im relieved he is in heaven. A man such as Cecil would be broken hearted to see the state of the world we live in today.

[@jazzyman4]

My grandfather was the head lad to Captain Cecil Boyd Rochford so I was lucky to be spending my summer holidays in the Cottage with the stable compound I was there during the war years from 1942 to 1950 and when the Captain married Mrs Cecil I was able to play mainly with Henry and David and sometimes with Bow and Jamie as well Their nursery was on the top floor of a very large Freemason Lodge and they had a large shed behind the house which contained fitness equipment like a floor mounted punch ball I spoke to Henry many times including visiting the house He was always eager to show me his prize roses which was his escape to tranquility When I was invited to join him to go to the morning work outs on the gallops i of course accepted After the work was finished I remember having bacon rolls in the kitchen with the likes of Henry and Joe Mercer I never heard Henry say that any would win he was very understated and got very nervous before a race I once asked him at the begging of his wonder horse -Frankel-how good he was and his reply was “ I think he will make up into a useful horse” Well before that I had chats with Edgar Britt - Harry Carr and Doug Smith Henry was always the gentle but observational person who did not have a bad word for anyone and always gave a measured response - except that is for that dreadful ride given to Bosra Sham I also had three uncle’s working in the yard with one of them, I have been told, was at the time the best horseman in Newmarket Henry seemed to have an amazing instinct by just looking at a horse and his record with fillies and mares was incredible One of my other uncles looked after Black Tarquin to win the 1948 St Leger at Doncaster Owned by Sir William Woodward who I believe was the US Ambassador and ridden by Edgar Britt Just two weeks before on my summer holiday I walked with the horse and my uncle for his afternoon walk alongside the Bury Road My fond memories

[@karenmoloney6798]

thank you for this wonderful memory 💜

[@darrenremington6422]

Brilliant story 👍 the man was a legend, but also a gentleman 🙏R.I.P

[@thereckoning8326]

Lovely memories

[@richardevans7035]

My favourite trainer ever, nobody will ever come close to the great Henry Cecil

[@allanstephens3175]

Could anyone be less interested in doing an interview than this man.😂😂 An absolute legend.

[@tomlardner2708]

Wonderful man a true gentleman I was really upset when he passed away rip sir henry.

[@MrParisienWalkways]

The question asked “what endured him to people” goodness me you only need to listen to Henry to understand what a magical human being he was.

[@catherinerushforth4282]

I had the pleasure of seeing Frankel race on more than one occasion, absolutely beautiful to see. Now when I go to race meetings No Sir Henry around to see, makes me very sad indeed x

[@lent7472]

Racing died in my heart when Sir Henry Cecil died,Frankel retired and i lost interest,what a humble man,an Iconic beautiful man and dad of Frankel,i miss him.

[@robp5495]

Rest in Peace Sir Henry. A master of his trade and a real gentleman. God bless

[@TrevRaynsford]

I really enjoyed that interview. Sir Henry Cecil was one in a million

[@idatekatemoss]

State of chappers. He gets some grief as being a poor man’s McCririck but he does great stuff for the sport. Go on, Matt, I’m behind you

[@darrenremington6422]

Racing needs people like Matt Chapman 👍

[@marklittlewood1633]

Henry cecil the best trainer this wonderful sport has ever seen ..i was lucky to meet him on 3 occasion's spread over 30 years from 79 to 2009 ..twice at Doncaster and at york in-between he was so friendly every time what a beautiful person henry truly was ❤

[@gipperbanana]

second best , vincent o brien was the greatest but Henry was the second best very clearly

[@maryryan9464]

Thrilled to watched hrse racing wen Henry Cecil was at his brilliant best to fall back to rise again nothing like today's sport racing

[@drewmayne2092]

Will never be replaced, a great trainer and a gentleman

[@EmeraldYT101]

​@pagall3857that's a different person how's he replaced Henry? Apart from his occupation or lifestyle.

[@Ironsmiler]

Got to love this bloke. A jumbled puzzle of elitism and humility which resulted in a really nice man, flawed like us all, and a brilliant trainer.

[@GBeret83]

Look up the words genius, legend, and class. If there isn't a picture of Sir Henry Cecil by all 3 of those words there damn sure should be. There's never been a better trainer or horseman on either side of the Atlantic and there never will be, IMO. I'd imagine a great many of Sir Henry's peers would echo that very same sentiment. RIP Sir Henry, for you truly were all that made this sport great.

[@theartfuldodger6500]

Racing lost some of its soul with his passing. Loved the Cecil, Stoute, Cumani, Harwood, Dunlop and Hern era of Horse Racing. Unfortunately those days are gone and will never be seen again. Loved how he spoke of his owners and jockeys not a single bad thing to say about any of them. A true gentleman.

[@daviddillingham7388]

apart from kieran fallon that was knobbin his wife

[@martinsmalldridge955]

Llpp

[@roblawfield7224]

Very well said

[@ianoian1]

And he was born in my city of Aberdeen! I have followed his career all my life and I can tell you, Sir Henry is simply one of the most humble of men, compassionate about his sport. Don' think we'll get somebody like him any time soon. See you on the other side, man! RIP👍

[@miraclemovers637]

What a classy guy!!! Great trainer and a real person! Loved the video! RIP Henry.

[@harpalchauhan428]

Love the sound of sir Henry Cecil voice .R.I.P.

[@katiebaby60]

has to be the greatest flat trainer in my lifetime, and what a wonderful man he was.I remember a programme with him showing his love for his roses, as well as his horses, and of course his ties! There will never be one than can walk the walk and talk the talk like he did LEGEND. RIP Henry you were loved and treasured.

[@ASupremeOwl]

Along with Vincent O'Brien the two greatest horsemen of all time. RIP Sir Henry...

[@gipperbanana]

Hard to disagree , they were a cut above the rest .They shared many traits including a detailed approach to horses and an obsession with horses heads

[@stephenwilliamson5300]

Sir Henry was a brilliant trainer and perfect gentleman right up until he passed away in my opinion. He will never be equalled certainly in my life time.

[@christophersimpson4093]

Magic years for me love Henry's aura and magic with horses best ever for me won lots of money on the Cecil horses. Very few horses today can compare to the excitement of the 80s rip Henry lovely man 💚💚💚💚💚💚

[@paulterry7672]

Lucky to have chatted to Henry a few times about horses a real nice guy and true gentlemen

[@lewiscurran8302]

Absolute genius in every sense,He's always had something about him Sir Henry ❤

[@MB-zm8lc]

Just a special human being. Rip sir henry.

[@malgoode]

Would be interesting to know the year when the interview was made. Superb trainer and person, never to be forgotten.

[@stephenord3403]

RIP great man

[@defxxx67]

my fav trainer ever..such a gentleman ,imo the best ever trainer ..he loved his horses...i will so miss him..

[@jamesramejkis1868]

Biel brats

[@Nautilus1972]

Vincent O' Brien. The man traiend three national winners in three years before turning his sole attention to the English Derby and mastering that. No comparison.

[@kepnjem]

A lovely, humble gentleman. RIP Sir Henry.

[@robertnend1294]

Perfect words .....

[@user-bz7tj2ny9k]

A great trainer he left us too soon .A few years older than me I followed his training career from the start. His training of Frankel was the cherry on top of the cake. He lived for that horse. They say you should never meet your hero's but I met Henry on stable visit. I had a chat with him and he kindly consented to a photo with me which I framed and its still in my living room now. Racing is not the same without Henry who was universally liked.

[@Raaselmirza-Begg]

I cried so much when he passed There will never be another Sir Henry

[@ijazmoh9545]

Racing lost a legend in Sir Henry.You will forever be missed.

[@malcs0]

He was my favourite trainer ever. Vincent O'Brien was brilliant too, but Henry held my soul. His sheer reticence about his genius was the mark of the man.

[@stevesadler6429]

even Matt Chapman in is awe of the great man

[@silverrunfilms]

Come on ATR, do the great man justice and get the sound in sync with the picture, please. Otherwise, it's a fine tribute to an even finer man.

[@lent7472]

Racing died for me with Sir Henry and Frankel, both heading off into the sunset, but his children wow,miss them both so much

[@janebowen7307]

Simply The Best. The list of winners is awesome xx

[@spencerbrown5188]

I remember watching him at Newbury stud and talking to my dad and this man was only starting out then and too watch him go on over the years has been full of hard work and up and downs ! Still didn't change him ! Horseman are one thing but very few can feel.

[@nialldevlin2860]

One off the best trainers

[@TheOxon25]

Matt, well dome. Great interview. So good to have this to remember the Great Man . Enjoyed it as much the second time as first!

[@alanpage3973]

Great trainer and a proper gentleman

[@stephenholmes1036]

Im a National hunt man through and through but Sir Mark Prescott and this man are special.

[@philsooty61]

I Loved this man, I dont remember any trainer giving me as many wins when betting than him!

[@karensnowden962]

Wonderful comments. Great trainer. Lovely man.

[@gunner-the_dog1352]

Lord have mercy on Henry

[@carlobalzer3238]

The greatest flat trainer all time R l P sir Henry Cecil 🙌🙌🙌🙌🐎🐎

[@rarecockneyguvnor4945]

Henry Cecil and Ryan Price we're the best trainers ever !

[@peteb954]

What a gent.

[@MarkRobertCuthbert]

Gentleman and Great Race horse trainer. One of the Greats. I remember hearing or reading, when you rode a horse for H.C. you walked or cantered or galloped - No trot. In International show jumping Nick Skelton does not trot his horses.

[@andrewinsley139]

Henry's horses NEVER cantered either Their sting just ran - hard to communicate to non racing people But they never cantered - they just let them loose Loved it :D WTF is trotting to HC

[@marionmarriner5675]

SUCH A GENTLEMAN .FOR MY 60TH BIRTHDAY MY HUSBAND JOINED ME IN THE ELITE RACING CLUB THEY HAD AN OUTING TO NEWMARKET TO VISIT A LOT OF YARDS ONE BEING WARREN PLACE . BUT BEFORE GOING THERE SIR HENREY MET US ON THE GALLOPS ON A BEATUFUL WHITE IRISH HUNTER .HE WAS TALKING TO US FOR NEARLY AN HOUR ANSWERING QUESTIONS . NO WONDER HORSES LOVE HIM AS HE HAD THE MOST SOFT GENTLE VOICE THAT I IMAGINE HORSES LOVE . AND THOUGH HE SPEAKS OF HORSES WITH BIG EARS I FIND HORSES OFTEN RESPOND TO SOMEONE WITH BIG GENTLE HANDS . MY GRANDSON IS TRAINING TO BECOME A JOCKEY AND AT HIS YARD HE OFTEN IS GIVEN THE HORSES THAT NEED TO BE SETTLED AND STEADED SO OFTEN THEY ARE GIVEN TO HIM TO WORK AND GET FIT . HE HAS BIG HANDS AND THEY OFTEN SETTLE ONCE HIS HANDS CONNECT TO THEM WILL NEVER FORGET MEETING YOU SIR HENREY AND THANKS FOR SHARING ALL THE GREAT HORSES YOU HAVE TRAINED ESP; FRANKEL .R.I.P.

[@darrenremington6422]

Matt Chapman is a brilliant interviewer who lives and breathes horses! Well done matt ☺

[@Nautilus1972]

He dismissed 'horses with big ears' as if he knew the first thing about horses.

[@paulbest2203]

RIP Henry ,brilliant trainer .Nice interview Matt .

[@cakeman50]

Just read the book admire him Even More Legend Style Class

[@michaelhindmarsh7772]

This is a story of the ages … a great trainer with numerous top flight winners then fell on hard times ,down on his luck owners either dying or deserting him … then all of a sudden like a phoenix in the sky Light shift brings back the king …. We all know happens next …. Frankel…we know he is a wonder horse but if Henry was in better health I’m sure he would gone on to be even better horse at 5 and even won a Arc!

[@Nautilus1972]

Nice that his last was Frankel, the greatest.

[@tommymullen7300]

Good horse don't no if he was the greatest but .

[@Ironsmiler]

Frankel would have won any G1 from 5 to 12f. There will never be another Frankel or another Cecil. RIP.

[@pauljones5066]

the audio is out with the video which is an unbelievable shame. My hero!

[@ahmedalsaaidi3714]

He was a nice man,down to earth,and had a special relationship with khaled abdulla,when everybody left.i was happy for him when frankel came to his life,i felt that ,he left us with dignity.

[@billymiller4586]

Lived his life....

[@Nautilus1972]

He just listened to Vincent O' Brien the GOAT. Big ears, prominent eyes, small head, big space between the ears.

[@pauljones5066]

great knowledge form Matt, and great interview, underrated imo

[@andrewpearson8216]

Good racing is good racing regardless of the quality of horse! The exciting part of racing is the last 200m to 400m, the gross time is of little consequence!

[@stuartgardiner3161]

vincent o brian and henry cecil the best ive seen.

[@petersturgeon6569]

happy days

[@JackMilner32]

Rest in Peace Sir Henry.

[@paulcoxon6609]

I went to one of his open days at Newmarket courting coming out of his house I said hi Henry can I have your autograph he replied course you can then I said to my mate will you take a photograph of me and Henry my mate said yes what a gentleman had time for me my mate also got his autograph and a photo with Henry what a guy what a gentleman rest in Peace Sir Henry brilliant trainer god bless Henry

[@JohnBrown-wn8vs]

Paul Coxon

[@trackside77]

I must confess that since his tragic passing, I've not taken such a great interest in flat racing. Sure I have a bet in a lot of the big races, but the enthusiasm is just not there. I just wish I had been rich enough to be able to own a racehorse. If so he would have been my trainer. The greatest in my lifetime.

[@Grifiki]

"George Best of Football?"

[@dianehanson2830]

Who will play the role of Sir Henry in the movie I am waiting for?

[@manicmuse1]

When i first knew of Henry Cecil i wasn't a fan to be honest, he seemed like a upper class snob with a silver spoon attitude but alas, I was so wrong. Yes he was a posh fellow with a liking for tweed but who cares! He was honest, kind, witty, humble, loving and noble. I'm so glad he found frankel (or did fankel find him?) because in Henry's later years he absolutely lived and breathed through that one horse! Frankel kept him going... RIP SIR HENRY

[@aprildoornbos4739]

What about Federico Tesio , won the Italian 22 times ad bred both undefeated Nearco and Robot

[@edronc2007]

@@aprildoornbos4739 Ribot

[@aprildoornbos4739]

You were right he is a stuck up ass and has over trained and broke down more than I can count and I worked for him , doesn't know as much as he thinks he doesn't when he takes the advice of his pony girl ,me

[@kirstinetermansen3227]

Give them air, from food regimes , treatment, training. Give them a run

[@Nautilus1972]

He was the British equivalent of Dermot Weld. Gentleman geniuses.

[@karenmoloney6798]

when is the Film of this legend out ?

[@cc2450]

I've noticed in the comments people say racing has changed. How so ?

[@jonlowe8727]

I ain't perfect either. This guy always had the first 2 at Leicester on a Monday night

[@peterpaliwoda1527]

Is this before Frankel ?

[@a.g.6834]

As i dont know is their a book written about the greatest Trainer of All Times?

[@markgreen7378]

Chapman looks young there ,he's deteriorated this past 10yrs.

[@terryc5419]

That was best raceing days now not good

[@biblybims9868]

Sir Henry makes me feel proud to be an Englishman,Matt chapman on the other hand,makes me feel the complete opposite in this interview,and I usually think he is tip top

[@andyhello23]

While most people, think there instincts are amazing, in real terms, they are pretty ordinary, like that person in the white house at the mo. But people like cecil are rare, someone with better then average instincts, like he appreciates. Like he said, most people just will not spot what he did, no matter how hard they looked at a horse. Who knows what that is, but some peoples are just better at reading, animals or humans then most. Henry cecil, sure was one of those, one in a million people, and he knows it. Like martin pipe over jumps, some people just know stuff most will not. Like the saying goes, knowledge is power, and especially in horse racing for those high profile trainers, whom are able to see something in horses most could not, even if they looked at a horse for a hundred years. Most people whom believe they got great instincts are pretty average, like the man america has in the white house at the mo, ie donald trump. But if you listen to super arrogant trump, you would think he is the worlds best, lol The best ones more often then not, do not go round shouting about it, but they know, they know something most do not. Knowledge is power, and for those trainers whom know something most do not in horse racing, like reading a horse, its a game changer. Nice to see cecil, is not some arrogant male, like they often get, if they know something, or stuff most do not.

[@karenmoloney6798]

the fella who's now in the Whitehouse... you got anything to say about his demeanour 😆

[@malgoode]

But sadly the end credits are wrong. He died in 2013 not 2012 as shown.

[@grankin8903]

I thought it was iggy pop at the start

[@harpalchauhan428]

Atleast his dream came true of beating everyone with frankel. Lol

[@edwinhowell8044]

we called him MR Henry, he the most hard working person in the yard, his step father sir Cecil Boyd Rockford. a gem of a man. I remember MR Henry . the horses he had.willow hollow. Newell some thing about this horse he use to ride in the mornings. these will be taken to the grave Miss Julie his wife a wonderful women, I came to England in 14th March 1968.it was to know what it was in those days.I HAVE PHOTOS WHICH NO ONE IN THE WORL. D HAS THE PARTY HE GAVE AT RUTLAND HOTEL ,ALOT TO SAY GOOD THINGS ON THAT DAY. I WAS APPRENTICE,TO HIS STEP FATHER SIR CECIL BOYD ROCHFORD. THEN WAS TRANCEFERED TO MR HENRY MY NAME EDWIN HOWELL .THEY CALLED ME RAMJAM. AFTER A HORSE RED RAG IT A LONG TIME. I REMEMBER ALL THE LADS STABLE GIRLS THE JOCKEY. STAN SMITH . HOW I GOT TO ENGLAND ?IS A? TRACK THIS HORSE CALLED LOBO , ( RUN AWAY HORSE JUMPS ON TOP OF A CAR.

[@bradaustin7914]

Edwin Howell Has j Bb Jo Pbbooon B

[@a.g.6834]

So you know Mr.Johns is well?

[@tomlardner2708]

A great man, an amazing trainer remember his horses very well. But frankel was the best of all time. Rip sir henry there will never be another like you.

[@andrewpearson8216]

Very rarely do trainers get the opportunity to tell their side of the story! Horses are not machines regardless of the thoughts of many owners. Most trainers are doing the correct thing but as in all professions there will be a few that spoil it for the rest! Technology has improved science that much that cheats are disappearing at the rates of knots! The chance of being caught increasing so now the chances of getting away with cheating and being caught is not worth the risk!

[@lulabellegnostic8402]

Quite why matt chapman thought that becoming a shoutier version of john mccririck would appeal to the racing community is beyond me. He alienates everyone he shouts at. I say shout, because he never speaks.

[@kevinhall3188]

Why the patronising and fawning. People already know. Media copy and paste same old grovel. The trainer was well bred with dad and inlaws ranked in bloodlines and one owned a castle in Scotland. Let the charm and integrity of the guy tell stories about his life as a trainer.

[@jamesleslie6830]

The greatest mental horse reference point ran a pace maker against it to make it go to fast , did nt breed one good horse I think he d have best the poser dancing brave lol lines through triptich , he d have got to him but not headed the mad beast

[@edwardanderson3759]

At 50 mins he nails it run them down the field unfit, if they all had Henrys class alas