Nicky Henderson remembers larger-than-life Lambourn legend Ben Leigh

The Honourable Benjamin Chandos Leigh was born in Stoneleigh Abbey, his family home, in Warwickshire in 1941. He was educated at Cothill, followed by Eton, which was appropriate given his death aged 77 on June 4, a landmark day in the Eton calendar.

He coxed the Eton VIII, by virtue of his status as the smallest person in the college, and steered them to victory in the Ladies' Plate at the Henley Royal Regatta, although how he kept the boat straight is anybody's guess.

On leaving Eton he joined the 11th Hussars (Prince Albert's Own) and served in Germany. Following his military service, he joined Tim Forster as an assistant trainer and rode Rueil to win the Grand Military Gold Cup at Sandown in 1965. This short-lived career as a jockey led him to join another legend of Lambourn, Freddie 'Maxi' Maxwell, also as an assistant.

In the early 1970s he took out a trainer's licence and was based at Neardown Stables when Barry Hills, Paul Cole and Simon Morant were making their names in the valley.

Ben was known for his wit, penchant for a glass of anything and his love of The Times cryptic crossword, usually completed before first lot. That clearly inspired the naming of some of his horses such as Mrs P Matson's Knockers and Tsipura, which would no longer pass the naming committee.

Brer Rabbit was, according to Ben, the most talented horse he trained but also came with a now infamous story. Ridden at Kempton by Lester Piggott, he was beaten a short-head with the trainer's orders being largely ignored. Ben stormed down to greet his jockey, uttering "Piggott, you'll never ride for me again!" To which Lester, in typically dry fashion replied, "I suppose I'd better retire then."

Ben would tell the story knowing Lester's career wasn't exactly hinging on Benjamin Leigh. He was more than able to laugh at himself.

After training, Leigh became involved in equine insurance, starting Stable Stud and Farm, and continued to look after insurance policies for a swathe of top trainers in Lambourn and Newmarket until his retirement in 2015.

Ben Leigh receives the trophy from the Queen Mother after winning the Grand Military Gold Cup on Rueil in 1965

Ben's favourite hobby outside racing was golf and, coupled with his knowledge of insurance, led to his wise decision to take out a policy against scoring a hole in one. As tradition dictates that the scorer has to buy a round of drinks for the clubhouse, Ben's obvious confidence in his ability to do so triggered the thought that he didn't fancy paying for the large drinks bill. On two occasions, at North Berwick and on an annual visit to George and Susie Peter-Hoblyn in Portugal, he managed this extraordinary feat. Locally, his needle matches with David Minton, Jim Wilson and me were renowned.

After Lambourn, his home became Gloucestershire with his wife Jennifer, whom he married in 1979, and his time was split between there and Newmarket, including many visits to see Sir Henry Cecil, with whom he retained weekly contact throughout his life.

Ben became desperately ill in February this year after contracting bacterial meningitis while on holiday with Jennifer in India. He made it back to England in March via air ambulance, defying doctors and beating Covid-19 in Gloucester Hospital, before finally succumbing to his illnesses on June 4. Along with his wife Jennifer, he is survived by his daughter Samantha and he was an adored 'Grumpa' to granddaughters Emma and Alexa.

Physically he was a small man, but he was a giant to us. The racing world has lost one of its greatest players and his army of friends all over the country, particularly Gloucestershire, Lambourn and Newmarket, will miss and never forget this unique gentleman.

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