Sir Henry Cecil memorial service held at Ely Cathedral

Tributes have been paid to racehorse trainer Sir Henry Cecil at a memorial service in Cambridgeshire.

The Newmarket-based 10-time champion flat trainer died aged 70, on 11 June, after a long battle with cancer.

More than 1,000 guests were at Ely Cathedral, including former BBC horse racing correspondent, Jim McGrath.

He said: "I'll remember Sir Henry as a unique man. He was a man who had green fingers when it came to horses. He just had a feel for it."

The service to celebrate the life of Sir Henry was arranged by his wife, Lady Cecil, after what she described as an "overwhelming" response from friends and members of the public to the news of his death.

'Unbelievable' Frankel

Lady Cecil said: "He touched so many people's lives, something that was made very clear by all the wonderful correspondence we received after he died."

Sir Henry Cecil with Frankel, who retired to stud with an unbeaten record

During his four-decade career in horse racing, Sir Henry had 75 winners at Royal Ascot and 25 British Classic winners.

But perhaps his greatest success was with Frankel, who retired last year as the top-rated racehorse in the world.

Mr McGrath said: "Frankel was the piece de resistance. It was unbelievable.

"His handling of Frankel just summed him up as a trainer.

"He was very patient with [the horse] and allowed him to find his feet and to mature."

The front of the memorial order of service for Sir Henry read: "Think deeply, speak gently. Love much, laugh often. Work hard, give freely and be kind."