Legend still going strong after 40 years

Dubai: In his 40 years as a trainer he has won over 360 patterns races and 35 Classics in the UK and abroad but the legendary Henry Cecil does not want to stop.

The 66-year-old maestro and undisputedly one of the world's leading trainers was at Nad Al Sheba Racecourse on Thursday and said he was looking to have a few runners next year on Dubai World Cup night.

"We have a few in training with next year's Dubai International Racing Carnival and the Dubai World Cup night in mind," Cecil, who was back in the limelight after a seven-year gap when he won the 2007 Vodafone Oaks with Light Shift under Ted Durcan, three-time champion jockey of the UAE, told Gulf News.

Prior to that he had already won 23 English Classics and after his 24th Classic took some time in coming, his impressive roll of honour includes four wins in the Derby, a record-equalling eight Oaks winners and he has won on at least two occasions the 2000 and 1000 Guineas and the St Leger.

"We have some quality horses in training owned by UAE's Malih Lahej Al Basti and hopefully we will have some good runners here next year," said the 10-time champion trainer.

Pointing to the giant structures that are fast giving shape to Meydan City which will usher in a bigger Dubai World Cup meeting in 2010, he said: "It is amazing how this place is changing.

"Earlier we used to talk of the big races in the US. Now it is Dubai and the World Cup. This is only just the beginning and the race course is certainly going to be one of the best in the world."

Among some of the promising three-year-olds being trained at Warren Place, Cecil's base since 1976, are Malih Lahej Al Basti's My Chestnut Girl. Al Basti, who is a member of the Emirates Racing Authority, tasted victory at the Carnival on his horse Dynamic Saint, saddled by Doug Watson.

"I have ten horses with Cecil and we do have a lot of hopes on My Chestnut Girl, a half-sister to Big Brown," Al Basti told Gulf News.

Big Brown won the 2008 Kentucky Derby and the 2008 Preakness Stakes before the colt was retired due to injury.

Cecil has always been known as the man who enjoys the best record with fillies and his record of seven fillies ending up winning the Oaks could very well see a filly going on to win the Dubai World Cup.

"It's lovely to be back and a funny feeling..It gives me the incentive to go on.

"I've been struggling for a few years but hopefully we can keep building up," he said after Light Shift's 2007 win.

And it's with this indomitable spirit he is chalking out plans for the 2010 Dubai World Cup night.