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46-601: Special Duty is a chestnut mare with a white blaze bred in Britain by her owner, Khalid Abdulla 's Juddmonte Farms . She was sired by the American stallion Hennessy , whose other progeny included Johannesburg , Grande Armee and Henny Hughes . Special Duty's dam, the Kentucky -bred Quest to Peak, made no impression as a racehorse, but was a sister of Sightseek and a half-sister of Tates Creek ( Yellow Ribbon Stakes ). As

92-459: A Thoroughbred horse named Birdcatcher , who had similar flecks of white on his flank and tail. Ticking or rabicano involves white flecks of hair at the flank, and white hairs at the base of the tail. The most minimal form can have only striped white frosting at the base of the tail, called a coon tail or skunk tail . Flecks of white on the root of the tail or scattered over the flanks may also be called Birdcatcher ticks . Scarring on

138-434: A base coat, there are other markings or patterns that are used to identify horses as with Appaloosa , Pinto or Brindle , as well as artificial markings such as branding . Facial markings are usually described by shape and location. There may be more than one distinct facial marking and if so, will be named separately. Occasionally, when a white marking extends over an eye, that eye may be blue instead of brown, though this

184-611: A descendant of the British mare Rosary, Special Duty came from the same branch of Thoroughbred Family 23-b which produced Tim Tam , Winning Colors and Chief's Crown . The filly was sent into training with Criquette Head-Maarek at Chantilly and was ridden in all her wins by Stéphane Pasquier . Special Duty made her debut in the Listed Prix Yacowlef over 1000 m at Deauville in July. She started odds-on favourite but

230-442: A dramatic fall from grace. In the space of a few years a number of owner-breeders with long-standing relationships with Cecil died, including Louis Freedman, Jim Joel and Lord Howard de Walden . His first wife, Julie, and his head lad, Paddy Rudkin, left and in 1995 Cecil's relationship with Sheikh Mohammed broke down, with the owner removing overnight the 40 horses he had in training at Cecil's stable. Sheikh Mohammed suggested at

276-499: A field of seventeen runners for the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket on 2 May. On the wide, straight Rowley Mile course, the field split into two groups, with Special Duty restrained by Pasquier at the back of the group on the stands' (left) side. In the final quarter mile, Tom Queally sent the 66/1 outsider Jacqueline Quest into the lead on the stands side from Sent From Heaven and the Irish filly Gile Na Greine as Pasquier made rapid progress on

322-540: A half lengths. After the race, Head-Maarek described Special Duty as "a progressive type who could go on to better things". In October Siyouni won the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère , France's most prestigious race for two-year-olds. A month later, Special Duty was matched against the unbeaten English colts Canford Cliffs and Arcano in the Prix Morny at Deauville. Pasquier sent the filly to the front from

368-476: A head to catch Liliside. Barely a length separated the first six fillies. A "complicated" stewards' inquiry found that Liliside had bumped Full Steam when making her challenge and interfered with Lady of the Desert in the closing stages. Liliside was relegated to sixth place, giving the win to Special Duty. Special Duty failed to reproduce her best form in three remaining starts. In July she returned to Newmarket for

414-437: A horse usually results in white hairs growing in over the injured area, though occasionally there may be no hair growth over the scar at all. Horses can be uniquely identified by more than just markings or brands. A few other physical characteristics sometimes used to distinguish a horse from another are: Some horse coat colors are distinguished by unique patterns. However, even for horses with coat colors that are arranged in

460-432: A manner unique to each individual horse, these patterns are not called "markings." Some coat colors partially distinguished by unique patterning include: Henry Cecil Sir Henry Richard Amherst Cecil (11 January 1943 – 11 June 2013) was a British flat racing horse trainer. Cecil was very successful, becoming Champion Trainer ten times and training 25 domestic Classic winners. These comprised four winners of

506-418: A pinching saddle that had been worn over a long period of time. Birdcatcher spots are small white spots, about the size of a dime to the size of a quarter. They have not been linked to any specific breed, but they do tend to run in families. These spots may occur late in a horse's life, or may occur and then disappear. The spots may look like scars, but they are not caused by skin damage. The name comes from

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552-589: A statement denying that he was involved in the breakdown of the Cecil marriage and began legal proceedings for breach of contract; the case was settled out of court. Cecil and his wife divorced in 2002. In 2008, Cecil married Jane McKeown. Cecil continued to receive treatment for stomach cancer. He was unable to be at Goodwood for Frankel's second victory in the Sussex Stakes in August 2012, but did attend

598-631: Is it?" The 2011 season was Cecil's best for 10 years. He saddled 55 winners, securing prize money totaling more than £2.7 million. Cecil's success in 2011 was partly due to his training of the Khalid Abdullah-owned Frankel . In the 2010 season Frankel won the Royal Lodge Stakes and Group One Dewhurst Stakes . The following year he continued unbeaten, winning the Greenham Stakes , the 2,000 Guineas ,

644-419: Is not consistently seen in all cases. Common facial markings are: Additional terms used to describe facial markings include the following: Leg markings are usually described by the highest point of the horse's leg that is covered by white. As a general rule, the horse's hoof beneath a white marking at the coronary line will also be light-colored ("white"). If a horse has a partial marking or ermine spots at

690-625: The Ebor Festival at York later that month, describing Frankel's victory in the International Stakes as having made him feel "20 years better". Cecil died of cancer on 11 June 2013 in hospital in Cambridge. He was 70. Racing broadcaster Derek Thompson called him "the greatest trainer of all time" while trainer Paul Nicholls referred to Cecil as "a true legend". Clare Balding , on Twitter, referred to Cecil as "one of

736-669: The Eclipse Stakes in July to give Cecil his first Group One success. He had his first winner at Royal Ascot the following year when Parthenon won the Queen Alexandra Stakes . In his early years Cecil received the support of Lord Howard de Walden , a noted breeder and owner of racehorses. The languid, dandyish Cecil, noted for his flair in clothing, went on to remarkable achievements. In 1973 he tasted his first Classic success in Ireland when Cloonagh won

782-603: The Falmouth Stakes , but weakened in the closing stages to finish seventh of the eight runners behind Music Show. In this race she was partnered by Tom Queally, Pasquier having been injured in a fall. She produced a slightly better effort when reunited with Pasquier in October at Longchamp where she ran sixth to Goldikova in the Prix de la Forêt . On her final appearance she was sent to California where she finished last of

828-685: The Irish 1,000 Guineas and in 1975 he won his first English Classic with Bolkonski at the 2,000 Guineas . He won three 1,000 Guineas and a further 2,000 Guineas before winning his first Epsom Derby in 1985 with Slip Anchor. In 1976 he had taken over the running of Warren Place in Newmarket from Sir Noel Murless , the father of his first wife, and he turned the stables into what has been called "the most glamorous yard in Europe", setting it at "the pinnacle of British racing". In 1999 he won three of

874-550: The Lowther Stakes . As in the Morny, Special Duty led from the start but a furlong from the finish she was headed by Lady of the Desert. In the closing stages however, Special Duty regained the advantage and pulled clear to win by two and three quarter lengths from Misheer, who beat Lady of the Desert by a head for second place. The Irish Independent described Special Duty's performance as "scintillating" and Head-Maarek, who

920-781: The Parachute Regiment in North Africa shortly before Cecil was born. His mother, Rohays Cecil, was the daughter of Major-General Sir James Burnett of Leys, 13th Baronet , owner of Crathes Castle , Aberdeenshire . When he was still a baby, Cecil's mother married Captain Cecil Boyd-Rochfort , who was British flat racing Champion Trainer five times and who trained for, among others, George VI . Cecil and his brother were educated at Sunningdale School and at Canford School , Dorset . He described himself as "very late-maturing and backward", saying that he

966-747: The St. James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot , the Sussex Stakes and the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes . His six length victory in the 2,000 Guineas was described as "one of the greatest displays on a British racecourse". After his win in the Sussex Stakes Cecil himself described Frankel as "the best horse I've ever seen". Timeform and the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities rated him

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1012-415: The splashed white , dominant white , or sabino alleles . Horses may develop white markings over areas where there was an injury to the animal, either to cover scar tissue from a cut or abrasion, or to reflect harm to the underlying skin or nerves. One common type of scarring that produces patches of white hairs are "saddle marks," which are round or oval marks on either side of the withers , produced by

1058-400: The 'end of an era' in Cecil's career. Between July 2000 and October 2006, Cecil failed to train a winner in any Group One race. In 2005 he saddled just a dozen winners overall. His stable of 200 horses shrank to barely 50 and Cecil began to talk of retirement. His second marriage publicly collapsed, his twin brother David died of cancer in 2000, his yard was losing money, and in 2006 it

1104-557: The 18th century". Timeform raised their rating to 147, making Frankel the highest rated horse in their history. He won a second Sussex Stakes , at odds of 1–20, and then stepped up in distance to win by seven lengths the Juddmonte International Stakes at York over 10 furlongs. In October 2012 Frankel won the Champion Stakes at Ascot to finish his career unbeaten. "He's the best I've ever had,

1150-612: The Derby , eight winners of the Oaks , six winners of the 1,000 Guineas , three of the 2,000 Guineas and four winners of the St Leger Stakes . His 1000 Guineas and Oaks successes made him particularly renowned for his success with fillies . He was noted for his mastery at Royal Ascot , where he trained 75 winners. Describing his approach to training, Cecil told The Daily Telegraph : "I do everything by instinct really, not by

1196-453: The best I've ever seen", Cecil told the BBC after the race, "I'd be very surprised if there's ever been anything better." In 1966, Cecil married Julie Murless, the daughter of trainer Sir Noel Murless . The couple had two children but divorced in 1990. Cecil had been conducting an affair with Natalie Payne, whom he married two years later. When they met Cecil was 46 and his future second wife

1242-550: The best horse in the world. In his four-year-old season Frankel won the Group One Lockinge Stakes at Newbury before an eleven length victory in the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot, described in one national newspaper as "possibly the best single performance by any horse, on any track, since three Arabian stallions were imported into Britain to found the thoroughbred breed in the early years of

1288-503: The book. I like to think I’ve got a feeling for and understand my horses, that they tell me what to do really." Cecil was knighted for services to horse racing in the Queen's 2011 Birthday Honours . Cecil was born on 11 January 1943 in a hospital near Aberdeen, ten minutes ahead of his twin brother David. His father, Lt. Hon. Henry Kerr Auchmuty Cecil, younger brother of the 3rd Lord Amherst of Hackney , had been killed in action with

1334-412: The coronary band, the hoof may be both dark and light, corresponding with the hair coat immediately above. Where the leopard gene is present, the hoof may be striped even if markings are not visible at the coronary band. From tallest to shortest, common leg markings are: Additional terms used to describe white leg markings include: A horse's genes influence whether it will have white markings, though

1380-470: The double and only Imprudence (1947), Miesque (1987) and Ravinella (1988) had succeeded. Special Duty started favourite ahead of Joanna and the Aga Khan 's Rosanara. With many fillies held up for late challenges and struggling to obtain clear runs, the closing stages of the race were extremely rough. Pasquier only found racing room in the last 200m and although Special Duty finished strongly, she failed by

1426-588: The exact genes involved could differ between breeds. Chestnut horses generally have more extensive white markings than bay or black horses. Horses with the W20 allele typically have white face and leg markings. Horses may have isolated body spots that are not large or numerous enough to qualify them as an Appaloosa , Pinto or Paint . Such markings are usually simply called "body spots," sometimes identified by location, i.e. "belly spot," "flank spot," etc. When this type of isolated spotting occurs, it may involve one of

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1472-406: The favourite. In the closing stages Special Duty moved up to challenge Jacqueline Quest but was carried out into the centre of the course as the outsider hung badly to the right. The photo-finish showed that Jacqueline Quest had won by a nose from Special Duty, with Gile Na Greine a head away in third but the racecourse stewards immediately called an inquiry. After ten minutes of deliberation they took

1518-493: The five Classic races and finished second in the other two. Prince Ahmed bin Salman , the owner of Oath , one of Cecil's Derby winners, once said: "Winning Classics is easy. Just buy a horse and send it to Henry Cecil". Among the jockeys to ride for Cecil, the most notable have been Steve Cauthen , Lester Piggott , Joe Mercer , Kieren Fallon , Pat Eddery and, later, Tom Queally . After years of success, Cecil experienced

1564-423: The horse as a unique individual. Markings are present at birth and do not change over the course of the horse's life. Most markings have pink skin underneath most of the white hairs, though a few faint markings may occasionally have white hair with no underlying pink skin. Markings may appear to change slightly when a horse grows or sheds its winter coat, however this difference is simply a factor of hair coat length;

1610-504: The race, seven years after his previous winner. The season before he had barely made it into the top 100 trainers in the country. "I might not be [competitive] on the outside", Cecil told The Independent . "But I am on the inside, definitely—underneath, very competitive. Always have been. We like winning, you know. We do like winning. It's what motivates you. Nobody likes failure. Your horses are running badly, or they're no good, you get jealous of everybody else. It's not quite so much fun,

1656-802: The seven runners in the Matriarch Stakes at Hollywood Park . Special Duty was named European Champion Two-year-old filly at the Cartier Racing Awards in November 2009. In January 2010, she was ranked the best two-year-old filly of 2009 in Europe by the International Classification, with a rating of 117. Having run her last race in California, Special Duty remained in the United States and

1702-701: The start and she held the lead until she was caught in the last strides and beaten a short neck by Arcano in a blanket finish. In October, Special Duty was sent overseas for the first time to contest the Group One Cheveley Park Stakes over six furlongs at Newmarket in England. She was made 3/1 second favourite behind the British-trained Lady of the Desert who had won the Princess Margaret Stakes and

1748-424: The time that he and Cecil had disagreed about the fitness of one of his thoroughbreds, Mark of Esteem , to run at Ascot—a disagreement which Cecil had made public. Cecil maintained that they were still "great friends" and had not fallen out. A number of Cecil's most notable horses had been owned by Sheikh Mohammed, including Oh So Sharp , Diminuendo, Indian Skimmer and Belmez . The incident has been flagged as

1794-481: The underlying pattern does not change. On a gray horse , markings visible at birth may become hidden as the horse turns white with age, but markings can still be determined by trimming the horse's hair closely, then wetting down the coat to see where there is pink skin and black skin under the hair. Recent studies have examined the genetics behind white markings and have located certain genetic loci that influence their expression . In addition to white markings on

1840-608: The view that the interference caused by the "winner" had affected the result of the race and awarded the victory to Special Duty. Jacqueline Quest's trainer Henry Cecil admitted that the decision was "probably" a fair one. Two weeks after her win at Newmarket, Special Duty attempted to add the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches, a race sometimes known in English-speaking countries as the French 1,000 Guineas. Few fillies had attempted

1886-645: Was 22. Cecil's second marriage broke down very publicly. Newspaper reports alleged that his wife was being unfaithful, including with an unidentified jockey, while a front-page story in the News of the World suggested that Cecil had stayed at the Grand Hotel in Brighton with an £800-a-night prostitute. Days after the story broke Cecil dismissed his stable jockey Kieren Fallon for "personal reasons". Fallon issued

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1932-545: Was covered by Tapit in 2011. Her 2012 filly sired by Tapit, South Bank, was trained in France and finished second in the Prix Yacowlef in 2015. Special Duty has produced foals by Bernardini (2013), Tapit (2014) and First Defense (2015). Blaze (horse marking) Markings on horses are usually distinctive white areas on an otherwise dark base coat color . Most horses have some markings, and they help to identify

1978-505: Was hampered at the start and finished second, beaten one and a half lengths by Sorciere, a filly who went on to win the Prix d'Arenberg . Three weeks later she was moved up to Group Two class for the Prix Robert Papin over 1100m at Maisons-Laffitte . She showed her inexperience ("ran green") in the early stages but took the lead in the closing stages and was ridden out by Pasquier to defeat the odds-on favourite Siyouni by one and

2024-578: Was recording her fourth win in the race, praised Pasquier for riding a "beautiful race". The British bookmakers made the filly 8/1 favourite for the following year's 1000 Guineas. On her three-year-old debut, Special Duty started odd-on favourite for the Group Three Prix Imprudence at Maisons-Laffitte on 8 April. Racing on very soft ground she led until 300m from the finish before finishing third to Joanna and Evading Tempete. Despite her defeat, Special Duty started 9/2 favourite in

2070-561: Was revealed that he was himself undergoing treatment for stomach cancer . Cecil recalled being on the Heath at Newmarket and overhearing someone say, "That's Henry Cecil. He should have retired a long time ago". His stable was supported almost exclusively by the loyalty of Prince Khaled Abdulla . When Cecil's Light Shift won the Oaks in 2007, it marked a return to form. This victory was his 24th English Classic winner and his eighth victory in

2116-667: Was the first boy from his prep school ever to fail Common Entrance to Eton . After school, the twins went to work at the Earl of Derby's Woodland Stud in Newmarket, Suffolk , and at other studs overseas. They completed their education at the Royal Agricultural College , Cirencester . From 1964 to 1968 Cecil worked as an assistant at his stepfather's Freemason Lodge stable. He took out his own licence to train in 1969 and that year had his first winner with Celestial Cloud at Ripon on 17 May, with Wolver Hollow winning

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