Henry Cecil, 1 of British horse racing's most successful trainers, has died at 70

June 11, 2013 at 12:15PM

LONDON — Henry Cecil, one of British horse racing's most successful trainers with 25 classic winners, died Tuesday following a long battle with cancer. He was 70.

A statement on Cecil's website said Warren Place Stables, where he worked as a trainer for 44 years, "confirms the passing of Sir Henry Cecil earlier this morning."

Cecil was champion trainer in Britain 10 times and trained one of racing's greatest horses, Frankel, who was retired last year after winning all 14 of his races. Cecil was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 2011.

The popular Cecil, who hailed from an aristocratic background and started his racing career as an assistant to his stepfather, was diagnosed with stomach cancer in 2006 and looked frail in his last few public appearances, speaking in a whisper.

After capturing his first classic winner at the 2,000 Guineas with Bolkonski in 1975, he trained four Derby winners and the same number of winners in the St. Leger. He also claimed a record 75 victories at Royal Ascot.

"Following communication with the British Horseracing Authority, a temporary licence will be allocated to Lady Cecil," the statement on Cecil's website said. "No further update is anticipated this afternoon."

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