Kingsclere’s legendary racing legend Ian Balding, who trained the legendary colt Mill Reef, has died at the age of 87.
He was also a Cheltenham Festival-winning rider and part of a racing dynasty, which carried on via his son Andrew.
But Mill Reef was the horse who made his name, just six years after he was handed the training licence at Kingsclere, near Overton, in 1964 on the death of Peter Hastings-Bass.
He was a high-class two-year-old and, although he was beaten in the 2,000 Guineas at three, he went on to win the Derby, Eclipse, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe to help make Balding champion trainer in 1971.
A statement on the Instagram page for 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.”
Mill Reef raced in the colours of Paul Mellon, who also owned the yard’s six-time Group 1 winner Glint Of Gold and Forest Flower, the champion two-year-old filly in 1986 who landed the Irish 1,000 Guineas the following year.
From the Racing Post: One of the many top jockeys who started out with Balding was Martin Dwyer, who 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.”
Ian is survived by son Andrew and TV presenter daughter Clare Balding.
