Julie Cecil, the ex-wife of Sir Henry Cecil and a renowned Newmarket trainer, died April 13 at the age of 80.
The daughter of great coach Sir Noel Murless, Cecil was Sir Henry’s first wife and played a key role in her ex-husband’s success, alongside Sir Henry coaching Epsom Derby (G1) winners ) Slip Anchor and Reference Point, Triple Crown heroine Oh So Sharp, brilliant miners Bolkonski and Kris, and top-class lodgers Le Moss and Ardross in their marriage, drag from 1966 to 1990.
Following her divorce from Sir Henry, Cecil began training at Southgate Stables on Hamilton Road and scored the first of her 190 wins as a coach when Golan Heights won at Newmarket in April of that year. 1991.
The best horse she trains is Alderbrook, who won the Prix Dollar (G2) in 1994 before winning the Smurfit Champion Hurdle for Kim Bailey in 1995, and also trains performers through such as Gneiss, Paster Noster and Dark Den, was her biggest winner in terms of jumps when she won the Free Handicap game in 1994.
Cecil gave up his license in 1998 and spent his retirement living in a cottage in Newmarket until his death.
Coach William Jarvis worked for the Cecils at Warren Place between 1979 and 1984 and paid tribute to a “really special person.”
He said: “When I worked for Sir Henry, she was truly his right hand man. I am so fortunate to have known her for so long. I cannot say enough about her and all. stemming from the heart.
“There are very few people like her. COVID has knocked her down because she truly is a human being. She loves to see people and entertain herself. It was hard for her and I regret not having met her. her more in the last few years.”
“She has left so many happy memories with everyone at Newmarket and beyond. She deserves every good thing that is said about her because she is a truly special person.”
Jarvis also recalls how she was able to help kick-start his racing career, which saw him coach Group 1 winners Grand Lodge and Lady Bowthorpe, on a trip to Goodwood when he was 14. year old.
“She was probably the reason I got the job with Sir Henry,” he added. “As we went down to Goodwood, she said to him, ‘God, what a lovely, charming young man’s son Ryan Jarvis is; I think we should give him one one day. Work.” I’m not glamorous but it’s great that she said so!
“She was also a very kind trainer. I remember Grand Lodge galloping with Gneiss and, after she retired, she kindly sent me a couple of horses; one named Two Clubs. won a race to be listed in France.
“We’ve had a lot of fun days, she has a colorful sense of humor and this means a lot. She’s an amazing woman.”
Steve ‘Yarmy’ Dyble, who worked under Cecil at Warren Place during the 1970s and 1980s, said: “It’s sad news. Julie and Henry were a great team at Warren Place and a pleasure to be with. work for them.”
“‘Madam,’ as we call her, once rode a lead horse called Fool’s Mate and if you can get to her you’ll know you’re on a good path.”
Terry Kent won for Cecil while she was practicing and paid tribute as she handled Alderbook before he glorified his big race with the jump for Bailey.
He said: “It was a bit unfair at the time when I remember when Julie did that horse. I’ve ridden Julie a few winners in jumps but both personally and professionally, she’s did so much for me and I owe her a lot.”
“What I miss most about her is her mischievous sense of humor which she kept to the end; she was a wonderful person. My thoughts are with her family.”
Cecil left two children, Katie and Noel, after her marriage to Sir Henry.
