Renowned British Trainer Ian Balding Dies Aged 87
Ian Balding, the renowned British racehorse trainer best known for training the champion Mill Reef, has died aged 87. His family announced the news on Instagram.
Balding took over the licence of Park House Stables near Kingsclere, Berkshire in 1964, at the age of 26, following the death of Peter Hastings-Bass. Park House remained one of Britain's leading training establishments under his stewardship.
Among Balding's most famous horses was Mill Reef, who won the Derby and the Arc de Triomphe in 1971. That same year, Mill Reef also won the Eclipse Stakes and the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes. Mill Reef was runner-up in the 1970 2,000 Guineas to Brigadier Gerard. Unfortunately, Mill Reef's racing career ended after sustaining a broken leg in August 1972, after which he stood as a stallion at the National Stud.
Other notable horses trained by Balding included Lochsong, a champion sprinter in 1993 and 1994 who won the Nunthorpe Stakes and Prix de l’Abbaye twice, Glint Of Gold with six Group One wins, and Selkirk, winner of the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes in 1991.
Balding was also a principal trainer for Queen Elizabeth II for many years, securing victories such as the Musidora Stakes with Escorial and the Queen Mother’s Cup with Insular in 1988.
Racing was part of Balding's family legacy; his father Gerald and brother Toby were trainers, while his son Andrew has trained at Park House since 2002. His daughter Clare Balding, a well-known broadcaster, paid tribute to her father publicly, describing him as fearless, funny, charming, and a great trainer and horseman.
