Sir Henry Cecil and Willie Carson added to British Champions Series Hall of Fame

Sir Henry Cecil and Willie Carson will become the latest inductees to the Qipco British Champions Series Hall of Fame on Saturday.

The former champion trainer and champion jockey will be formally added to the Flat racing Hall of Fame at a ceremony at British Champions Day at Ascot, which will be attended by Carson and Lady Jane Cecil.

Cecil becomes only the second trainer to be inducted after Vincent O’Brien following an illustrious career that spanned 44 years, during which he trained top-class runners such as Frankel, Oh So Sharp and Slip Anchor.

Cecil, who was crowned champion trainer ten times, died in June 2013 at the age of 70.

"He was modest and would have been surprised to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, but he would also have felt very honoured," Lady Cecil said. "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 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."

Willie Carson: four-time Derby winner added to Hall of Fame this weekCredit: Edward Whitaker

Carson will emulate Lester Piggott, Pat Eddery and Frankie Dettori to become the fourth jockey to join the Hall of Fame, which was established in April 2021.

The five-time champion jockey will receive a medal in Saturday's ceremony in recognition of his contribution to racing, which featured more than 3,800 winners and 17 Classic triumphs.

Carson said: "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.

"I have done a few things in my life, but being inducted into the Hall of Fame is one of the biggest. It is a big deal to be invited."

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