Huge memorial service held to celebrate life of Sir Henry Cecil

Figures from across the sport of Flat racing gathered in Ely Cathedral on Monday to celebrate the life of Sir Henry Cecil.

Cecil's singular popularity, due to his willingness to engage with those from all walks of life as much as the almost unparalleled success he managed with his horses, led to the cathedral filling up some time before the service began and there were many ordinary people among the attendance of around a thousand. The connection the public felt with Cecil was discussed in a reading from his son Jake, who said: "Everyone was treated with the utmost respect by dad. He would find the time to share his personality with whoever crossed his path. They stood by him when he was knocked down, and applauded him when he stood back up...They knew he was the embodiment of honesty." Four hymns - Cecil's personal favourite All Things Bright and Beautiful, Dear Lord and Father of Mankind, Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise and Amazing Grace - featured in a service lasting an hour, as well as recordings of Cecil interviews. It ended with a Scots Guards piper arranged by his step-brother, Arthur Boyd-Rochfort. Two young grandchildren, Olivia and Jack Mackenzie, also gave readings, and Olivia said: "You never gave up and that's something we'll never forget about you. You were the bravest person ever."