Jeremy Irons set to play legendary trainer Sir Henry Cecil in Frankel film

Jeremy Irons is set to play legendary trainer Sir Henry Cecil in a film about Frankel’s unbeaten career.

Irons, who won an Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in Reversal Of Fortune, will also produce the film with with Andrew Berg and John Sachs of Eclipse Films.

Ron Scalpello will direct from a screenplay by Jim Piddock which charts Frankel’s perfect record of 14 wins, culminating in victory in the Champion Stakes at Ascot in 2012.

Cecil, who died in June 2013, handled Frankel throughout and Irons told www.screendaily.com: “The story of Henry resonated with me immediately.

“The role allows me to portray a character with such resilience and depth. I also appreciate the deep relationship shared between Henry and Frankel, a true story of love and affection between a man and his horse.”

Berg and Sachs added: “Jim Piddock’s script stands out as the perfect balance of drama and action and director Ron Scalpello is a gifted director, visceral, sensitive and extremely hard working and creative.

“Jeremy was first choice to play Henry and has a genuine love for horses. Jeremy’s decision to join us as a producer has further cemented his passion for this project.”