Sir Henry Cecil artefacts on show
Some remarkable photos and personal artefacts from Sir Henry Cecil's home at Warren Place, including the flag that used to fly above the house after a Group 1 victory, will be on display at Ascot on QIPCO British Champions Day, Saturday 19 October, in a marquee that will be accessible to all racegoers.
A specially-selected collection of photos depicting the life of Sir Henry Cecil from early childhood to the end of his glittering career has been put together, including some personal photos from his home.
Also part of the exhibition will be some of the trophies that he won in his 44 years as a front-line trainer during which time he won 10 trainers' championships and 25 British Classics.
Other artefacts include a dinosaur's tooth which hangs in a frame in his study at Warren Place and a photo of the family home in Scotland where he spent his early days and where he always loved to return.
There will also be a video playing throughout the day with footage of some of his great horses together with Clare Balding's tribute which aired on Channel 4 during Royal Ascot this year, a week after he lost his long battle with cancer.
Sir Henry helped establish Britain's richest raceday with the Prince Khalid Abdullah-owned Frankel claiming famous victories in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes in the inaugural year, 2011, and then the QIPCO Champion Stakes last year.
Lady Cecil said: "Henry loved Ascot and I know he would be delighted to have this exhibition there on QIPCO British Champions Day.
"I hope people will enjoy seeing the photos and some of the things from our home that meant so much to him."
Rod Street, Chief Executive of British Champions Series Limited, said: "We are delighted to be able to pay tribute to Sir Henry in this way after his outstanding support for our new day and the impact that Frankel had on it.
"We will never see the like of Sir Henry again and the photos are very special indeed, especially the childhood ones with his brothers, mother and his step-father, Captain Sir Cecil Boyd-Rochfort, without whose influence he would never have ventured into training.
"I think it will prove a very popular addition to the day and we are so grateful to Lady Cecil for her support and the loan of photos and some of his personal possessions and trophies."
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