LEGENDARY horse trainer Henry Cecil has coached 72 Royal Ascot winners and adds a knighthood to his impressive list of credentials.

Sir Henry was raised at Crathes Castle near Banchory and became interested in the sport through his mother’s second husband. His natural father died at war when he was just two weeks old.

He lives in Newmarket, Suffolk, where his famous stables are based.

On his knighthood, he told The Herald: “I am obviously very honoured. I have been a trainer for 40 years and I have always tried to be at the top of my profession because then nobody could say I was no good at anything. I love my work and it is a way of life.

“I have been very lucky to have worked with some great horses over the years.”