QIPCO British Champions Series announced the late Sir Henry Cecil and William 'Willie' Carson will be formally inducted into the QIPCO British Champions Series Hall of Fame, the official Hall of Fame for British Flat racing, with a special induction ceremony due to take place on QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot Saturday Oct. 15.
Carson, who turns 80 next month, becomes the fourth jockey to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, after Lester Piggott, Pat Eddery and Frankie Dettori.
Willie Carson was crowned Champion Jockey in Britain five times and his 3,828 winners in the UK included 17 Classic triumphs, four of them in the Derby. Only three other greats have bettered his overall tally: Sir Gordon Richards (4870), Pat Eddery (4633) and Lester Piggott (4493).
He was associated with a bevy of champions, including Troy, Nashwan and Dayjur. He has enjoyed notable success as a breeder, and had the distinction of guiding Minster Son, who he himself bred, to victory in the 1988 St. Leger, making him the first jockey to breed and ride a Classic winner. He served as a broadcaster career following his retirement from the saddle, hosting the BBC's racing coverage following a stint as a captain on Question of Sport.
“It's very humbling because of where I've come from, but here I am, an ex-Champion Jockey, having ridden British Classic winners for Her Majesty the Queen and with four Derby winners,” said Carson. “I have done a few things in my life but being awarded into the Hall of Fame is one of the biggest. It is a big deal to be invited.”
“I am getting old, but I am still enjoying life. I've got the horses to keep me amused, I have the stud (Minster House); it keeps me amused, busy and working. I am still enjoying life because of the horse–the horse keeps me going.”
Also joining a very exclusive club, Cecil becomes just the second trainer to be inducted following Vincent O'Brien.
In 1976, Cecil was crowned champion for the first time, thanks in no small part to Wollow, who won the 2000 Guineas, Eclipse, Sussex S. and Juddmonte International. Cecil won the title again in 1978, 1979, 1982, 1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1990 and 1993. Only Alec Taylor, who won the championship a dozen times between 1907 and 1925, has ever been champion on more occasions.
It was 10 years ago to the week that Cecil's most illustrious pupil–Frankel–concluded his undefeated 14-race career with victory in the QIPCO Champion S. on QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot. “He's the best I've ever had, the best I've ever seen,” he said. “I'd be very surprised if there's ever been anything better.”
Eight months after Frankel's career finale, Cecil died at the age of 70.
“He was modest, and he would have been surprised to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, but he would also have felt very honoured,” said Lady Cecil, Sir Henry's widow, who played a key role in the latter part of Sir Henry's career. “I'm delighted as I think he's a very worthy inductee. I hope he will prove to be a popular choice.”
“Henry never understood why or how he was popular. When he had a runner at Newmarket, the reception he got was always amazing. I remember after he died, I was lucky enough to have a winner at Newmarket. The crowd used to come and cheer, and I knew it was for Henry. He was so popular–when I do the Discover Newmarket tours to raise money for the East Anglian Children's Hospice, they come to see Frankel but invariably they talk about Henry. They have so many stories about how Henry chatted to them, the kindness he showed. He was very special.”
Lady Cecil and Willie Carson, who will both attend QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot this weekend, will be presented with a prestigious medal in recognition of the inductions into the Hall of Fame.
Unique to British racing the medals, which were hand-crafted by Asprey, can also be viewed during the day as part of a special Hall of Fame display which will be held within the Grandstand at Ascot. For more information, click here.
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