ARTICLES - Things we found in the press

By Sue Montgomery at Newmarket
Published: 16 October 2005
The Independent online

Sergeant Cecil, the horse named as a monument to a soldier, proved himself a valiant warrior without peer here yesterday. By adding victory in the 167th Cesarewitch to triumphs in the Northumberland Plate and Ebor, the six-year-old became the first horse in history to win the calendar's three top staying handicaps in the same season.

The story of the gallant chestnut gelding, humbly bred and cheaply bought, has been a grass-roots Turf inspiration. His owner, Terry Cooper, runs an office-supplies business in Blandford, Dorset. His trainer Rod Millman is a small-time operator with only 40 horses in his Cullompton yard. And sure, his jockey, Alan Munro, won a Derby, but he has been rebuilding his career after 10 years in Hong Kong and a sabbatical from the sport.

The two-and-a-quarter mile Cesarewitch is an uncompromising test, but 10-1 shot Sergeant Cecil marched to an easy three-length victory. And as he and Munro returned to the winner's circle, Cooper deflected congratulations towards them. "Not much to do with me," he said, "it's those three. What a horse, what a jockey, what a trainer."

Unusually for a marathon specialist, Sergeant Cecil has a considerable engine and several gears, and in Munro has found a perfect partner. "He needs a confident rider," confirmed Millman, "one who is not afraid to have patience, even to get boxed in, and pounce late."

Munro demonstrated the duo's modus operandi to perfection, burying Sergeant Cecil in the pack until bursting clear inside the final furlong to catch the one who had gone for home, King Revo (20-1). Inchandamph (50-1) claimed third spot, ahead of Vinando (25-1) and Elusive Dream. The 3-1 favourite, Afrad, came in 28th of 34.

"It's a great piece of history and I'm just pleased to be part of it," said Munro. "I don't think I've ever ridden a horse who helps me more. He travels so easily, and I can place him where I want. If there's a gap, he has the tactical speed to go through, and then he'll relax again and wait for the next instruction. Just professionalism and class."

Cooper, who bought Sergeant Cecil for small money as a foal, explained the origin of his beloved gelding's name. "My father died when I was nine," he said. "His name was Cecil Edward Cooper and he had been a sergeant-major in the First World War. But when he died my mum was struggling and the poor chap never had a proper headstone to his grave. As the years went on I always meant to buy him one, but it never got done. We called Cecil after him, and he has proved a lot better than a piece of stone. "

Sergeant Cecil has now earned more than £400,000. And the result of the Dewhurst Stakes earlier in the afternoon was another bumper payday for an owner, in this case retired solicitor Anthony Packenham. His Marcus Tregoning-trained Sir Percy, a bargain 16,000-guinea yearling, maintained his unbeaten record as he lowered the colours of the Ballydoyle hotshot Horatio Nelson by a diminishing neck.