H.R.A.C

I know there's lots elsewhere on Sir Henry but this is where I feel most comfortable.

I know he perhaps wasn't the most saintly type his public image suggested but the fact is, his public image was brilliant and if we don't actually know someone that's all we have to go on.

I am very grateful for that image and what it has done for our sport. For a racehorse trainer to make the news in good times and bad, is virtually unheard of and I am always thankful to anyone who can get the sport out there in the big wide world.

I think when times were good for him he was the best trainer of my time and whilst a trainer isn't often the reason we get into racing, he was certainly a great fascination for me from the moment I did. I remember so clearly how everything seemed to win at 2, usually first time out and everything was placed to achieve it's maximum potential. His horses weren't hammered but there was rarely a significant National Hunt career waiting for them either. His owners got the maximum from their very expensive hobby.

Without doubt Aidan O'brien is going to compile a career as great, but ofcourse he is so ably supplied by quite the most efficient pipeline that modern racing has ever seen installed. It won't ever be really possible to compare the two I don't think and ofcourse racing spreads itself a little thinner nowadays so trainers need to train accordingly. In Cecil's pomp it was all over after the St leger meeting.

I have no connection with the great man but I always remember one time I was showing a yearling at the October sales to him. For some reason he was working with a vet at the time of showing and the vet asked to see the colt in the box first. when the vet asked to listen to the colt I went to undo the rug straps and the vet said 'it's ok, just undo the front buckles I can listen from there'. Now as most will know it's not good practice to have a rug on a horse just done up with the surcingles on as if they panic, rug slides back and you've got a full scale incident on your hands.
As it happens this was a Top Ville colt with all the temperament that implies and I was a lot younger than now! Henry though explained how the job should be done properly, ticked off the vet and in a few words made me feel like a genius!

I am just sorry I couldn't describe the incident in a few words! but it always stuck in my mind and I think his reputation was founded on a million more such incidents and I for one will enjoy reading all the tributes passed his way.