Last Updated on 4 days ago by Vijay Kumar
Ian Balding, the legendary British horse trainer best known for guiding the iconic Mill Reef, has died at the age of 87. His family confirmed his passing on Friday, 2 January 2026, sharing the news through Park House Stables, where he built his career. The statement described him as “a wonderful family man, a hugely successful racehorse trainer and a brilliant sportsman” who “will be greatly missed by all at Park House.”
Balding’s influence on horse racing was profound and enduring. He began training in 1964 at the age of 26, taking over Park House Stables in Kingsclere, Berkshire, after the death of his father-in-law, Peter Hastings-Bass. He rose to international fame in 1971 when Mill Reef achieved one of the sport’s great seasons — winning the Epsom Derby, Eclipse Stakes, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, and the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe — and securing Balding the title of British Champion Trainer.
Beyond Mill Reef, he trained other top-class horses including Glint Of Gold, Selkirk, and the sprinter Lochsong, and worked for elite owners including Queen Elizabeth II. Before becoming a trainer he was also a Cheltenham Festival-winning amateur jockey, and his career spanned nearly four decades until his retirement in 2002, after which his son Andrew took over the training licence.
He is survived by his wife Emma Balding, and their two children: Andrew Balding, who has continued the family’s training legacy at Park House Stables, and Clare Balding, the well-known broadcaster and sports presenter. Clare paid tribute to her father on social media, calling him “fearless, funny and charming” and celebrating his passion for horses, sport and family that he shared with her and many others in the racing world.
My name is Vijay Kumar. I work as content writer and founder of this website. I am studying BSC IT. I has been writing content since 2022. I also learn about journalism.
