Ian Balding, the trainer behind the 1971 Epsom Derby (G1) and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1) champion Mill Reef, has passed away at 87. Mill Reef, born in Virginia and sired by Neverbend, raced for owner-breeder Paul Mellon of Rokeby Stables in the US and became a prominent sire at the National Stud in Newmarket.
Mill Reef not only won the Derby and the Arc but also secured victories in the Eclipse Stakes (G1), King George VI Stakes, and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (G1), earning Balding the British Champion Trainer title in 1971. The horse continued his winning streak with triumphs in the 1972 Prix de Ganay (G1) and Coronation Cup (G1), completing a six-race winning streak at the highest level that lasted 30 years until Rock of Gibraltar surpassed it in 2001-02.
Balding’s Kingsclare stable in Newbury produced other Group 1 winners such as Glint of Gold, Selkirk, Lochsong, and Dashing Blade, with over 1,700 winners throughout his career. He retired in 2002, handing over the stable to his son Andrew, who is also a multiple Classic-winning trainer.
Ian Balding is the father of Claire Balding, a well-known British broadcaster and bestselling author. Before becoming a trainer, Ian was an amateur jockey, winning the National Hunt Chase at the 1963 Cheltenham Festival aboard Time.
Brant Dancy, chief executive of the British Horseracing Authority, praised Balding’s profound impact on the sport, emphasizing his legacy and the generations of talent he nurtured from Kingsclere. Balding’s influence is widely respected and will be fondly remembered across the racing community.
Fan Take: Ian Balding’s passing marks the loss of a true legend whose influence shaped modern British racing foundations. For horse racing fans, his legacy reminds us of the enduring impact great trainers have on the sport, inspiring future generations to strive for excellence.
