Ian Balding, Clare Balding’s legendary horse coach father, dies aged 87 

Clare Balding‘s horse trainer father Ian Balding has died aged 87.

Mr Balding was a well-known trainer and Cheltenham Festival-winning rider. 

He made his name with horse Mill Reef, who won numerous events for the trainer just six years after Mr Balding was handed his licence. 

Mill Reef was a two-year-old horse at the time who went on to win the Derby, Eclipse, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

There was such success that Mr Balding was named as champion trainer in 1971. 

But he was also known for training winning horses for the late Queen Elizabeth II, notably securing victory for her at the 1974 Musidora Stakes at York with Escorial.

Clare Balding pictured with her father Ian at Newbury racecourse in May 2012

He retired from the sport in 2002 and handed the reins of his racing dynasty, based at Park House Stables, in Kingsclere, Hampshire, to his son Andrew. 

This is a breaking news story. More to follow.