In 1980, he finished the 2,000 Guineas in first place on the Boutin-trained Nureyev, but was later disqualified for impeding the progress of Posse, ridden by Pat Eddery.
Notable apprentices of his include Pat Eddery, Walter Swinburn and Mouse Morris (2006 Cheltenham Gold Cup winning trainer with War of Attrition).
Pat Metheny | Pat Robertson | Pat Boone | Pat Benatar | Pat Mills | Pat O'Brien | Pat O'Brien (actor) | Pat Nixon | Pat Haden | Tim Pat Coogan | Postman Pat | Pat Travers | Pat Tillman | Pat McCrory | Pat Martin | Pat Brown | Pat Tilley | Pat Reid | Pat Lewis | Pat Cox | Pat Conroy | Pat Summerall | Pat Sajak | Pat Roberts | Pat Riley | Pat Kenny | Pat Hingle | Pat Coombs | Pat Binns | Laurdine "Pat" Patrick |
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.