Group-race geniuses, statistical superstars and a fantastic father

Henry Cecil

He has to be on the list simply for his handling of so many Group horses for so many years, from the likes of Wollow in the 1970s to Oh So Sharp in the 1980s to Bosra Sham in the 1990s, culminating in the remarkable Frankel in recent years. He trained so many horses of great quality, but he was also renowned for his quantity of winners – he set the Flat record of 180 winners in a season in 1987 and that was before the advent of increased opportunities on the all-weather.

Sir Henry Cecil: Newmarket legendCredit: Edward Whitaker

Vincent O'Brien

No trainer could ever repeat the varied nature of his success. As a jumps trainer he won three Champion Hurdles, four Gold Cups and three Grand Nationals (with three different horses) and then he moved into the Flat world and conquered that too, winning six Derbys, practically every big race in the calendar, and training all-time greats such as Sir Ivor, Nijinsky, The Minstrel and El Gran Senor.

Vincent O'Brien: responsible for number of all-time greats

John Dunlop

Obviously for being my father! But also for being one of the pioneers in racing horses abroad, taking runners to Australia and New Zealand, being leading trainer in Italy, and also winning the trainers' championship in Britain. I think my favourite horse of his was Salsabil – I was at the Curragh when she beat the colts in the 1990 Irish Derby and she truly was a brilliant filly.