Ian Balding, who trained Derby winner Mill Reef and is the father of broadcaster Clare Balding, has died at the age of 87.
Balding found success as an amateur jockey at the Cheltenham Festival, before going on to train a host of top-class race horses from his Kingsclere yard, such as Lochsong, Selkirk and Glint of Gold. But his 1971 victory with Mill Reef remained his greatest triumph.
Son Andrew took on his training licence on his retirement in 2002 and continued the success of his father. Before entering the world of broadcasting, his daughter Clare was also a top amateur rider.
An Instagram post from Park House Stables read: “We are deeply sorry to share the sad news that Ian Balding has passed away.
“A wonderful family man, a hugely successful racehorse trainer and a brilliant sportsman.
“He will be greatly missed by all at Park House.”
Balding trained high-class two-year-old Mill Reef to win the Derby, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, Eclipse and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.
The success made Balding the champion trainer in 1971.
Mill Reef owner Paul Mellon boasted the same yard’s six-time Group 1 winner Glint of Gold, while Florest Flower was another champion two-year-old in 1986, going on to win the Irish 1,000 Guineas a year later.
Balding also brought success to Queen Elizabeth II, winning the Musidora Stakes at York in 1974 with Escorial. And in the 1993, sprinter Lochsong was declared Cartier Horse of the Year.
Reacting to the news, as per the Racing Post, former jockey Martin Dwyer said: « Ian was like a second father to me. I arrived from Liverpool as a snotty-nosed 16-year-old, a bit rough around the edges, and he shaped me into the person I am today. I served my apprenticeship with him and had some really nice winners.
« He was a good guy to ride for. He was quite strict with a lot of things but he could take defeat well and he always took the time to talk through things. He taught me so much.
« It’s very sad but he lived a great life and he loved sport. He started so many traditions at Kingsclere that are still going to this day. As a boss he was great to work for, he was tough but fair and at that stage of my life he was exactly what I needed. »
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