Legendary trainer Balding dies aged 87

The trainer of Mill Reef, who won the 1971 Epsom Derby, died at the age of 87, Ian Balding.

In his amateur jockeying career, Balding, the father of television broadcaster Clare, won the 1963 Cheltenham Festival’s National Hunt Chase on Time.

However, he excelled as a trainer, and his Kingsclere yard in Newbury produced numerous Group One winners, most notably Mill Reef, Selkirk, Lochsong, and Glint of Gold.

His son Andrew, who is now a multiple Classic-winning trainer, received the license in 2002 after he retired.

Park House Stables expressed regret over the passing of Ian Balding in a post on Instagram.

A fantastic sportsman, a successful racehorse trainer, and a wonderful family man.

“He will be greatly missed by Park House staff.”

His daughter Clare, who has covered seven Olympic games for BBC for her career, wrote on Instagram: “My Dad was one of a kind. He was a great trainer, a beautiful horseman, and a fearless, funny, and endearing horseman.

He probably cherished his family, his dogs, and his horses, according to him.