Ian Balding, trainer of Mill Reef and Lochsong, dies aged 87

Ian Balding, the trainer best known for guiding Mill Reef to victory in the Derby and the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and later training the champion sprinter Lochsong, has died at the age of 87, his family said. On the Park House Stables Instagram page his family said: “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 took over the training licence at Park House, near Kingsclere in Berkshire, in 1964 at the age of 26 after the death of his father-in-law, Peter Hastings-Bass.

He had already been a successful amateur rider over jumps, including a win at the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham in 1963. Mill Reef emerged as a leading two-year-old in 1969 with victories in the Coventry Stakes, the Gimcrack and the Dewhurst Stakes. After finishing second to Brigadier Gerard in the 2,000 Guineas, Mill Reef won the Derby, the Eclipse, the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes and the Arc, helping Balding to finish the season as champion Flat trainer.

Mill Reef’s career was cut short by a broken leg in August 1972, but the colt was saved to stand at stud. Balding went on to train other top horses including Glint Of Gold, Selkirk and Lochsong.

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Business, Sports, Horse Racing, Mill Reef, Ian Balding, Trainer, Obituary