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California Thoroughbred Trainers

Ben Cecil, who trained 2022 champion grass mare Golden Apples, has died at age 56.

Cecil died Friday after a long battle with cancer according to a report by Steve Andersen of Daily Racing Form.

Cecil came from a racing family: his father David was the twin brother of Henry Cecil, a trainer who won 25 British classic races. Ben Cecil got his start working for trainers in Great Britain and Australia before making his career in California. He worked as an assistant for trainers Gary Jones and Rodney Rash before inheriting control of the stable after Rash died in 1996.

His highest-profile horse was Golden Apples, who he trained for owner Gary Tanaka. Golden Apples started her career in Ireland, but moved to Cecil’s barn in the summer of her 3-year-old year. She won the 2001 Del Mar Oaks (G1) in her first start in California. At age 4 whe won three times including twice at the top level, in both the Beverly D. (G1) and the Yellow Ribbon (G1), earning her year-end honors despite a fourth-place finish in the 2002 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf at Arlington.

In addition to Golden Apples, Cecil also trained Grade 1 winners Donna Viola, Squeak and Passinetti. Between 1996 and 2024 he amassed a 2,420: 325-335-312 record and almost $25 million in career earnings. He had two wins in 17 starts in 2024, both at the maiden special weight level: Hot Legs Romolo at Santa Anita in March and Look Forward at Del Mar on Nov. 8. Both of those horses were owned by Reddam Racing, longtime supporters of Cecil during his career in California.