Kalende, trainer of Mill Reef, dies at the age of 87

Racing is in mourning for Ian Balding, who trained legendary colt Mill Reef, following his death at the age of 87.

A Cheltenham Festival winner, Balding was part of a racing dynasty that continues through his successful trainer son Andrew.

But Mill Reef was the horse that made his name, just six years after he was awarded the training license at Kingsclere, near Newbury, in 1964 following the death of Peter Hastings-Bass. Bred in Virginia by Paul Mellon, Mill Reef was a high-class two-year-old and although defeated in the 1971 Two Thousand Guineas at the age of 3, he went on to win the Epsom Derby, Eclipse Stakes, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe to make Balding champion trainer in 1971.

A statement posted on Park House Stables’ Instagram page on January 2 said: “We are very 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 everyone at Park House.”

His daughter Clare, now a very successful presenter, posted on Facebook: “My father was one of a kind. Fearless, funny and charming, he was an all-round sportsman, a great trainer and a wonderful rider. He loved his dogs, his horses and his family – probably in that order. He shared his passion for sport with me and taught me to be brave enough to chase a dream even when it seemed impossible. We will miss him so much.”

Mill Reef raced in the colors of Mellon, who also owned six-time Group 1 winner Glint of Gold and Forest Flower, the champion 2-year-old filly in 1986 who landed Ireland’s One Thousand Guineas (G1) the following year. Balding also had great success for Queen Elizabeth II, most notably winning the Musidora Stakes (G3) at York in 1974 with Escorial, while his undisputed star of the 1990s was Jeff Smith’s top sprinter Lochsong, who was voted Cartier Horse of the Year in 1993.

Frankie Dettori won nine races at Lochsong and posted on

“My sincere condolences go out to the Balding family and everyone involved at Park House at this very difficult time.”

Balding retired in 2002 and was succeeded by Andrew, who has since achieved numerous Group 1 and Grade 1 victories.

Ian Balding claimed the biggest of his 65 winners as an amateur jockey on Time in the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham in 1963. He rode his own horse, Ross Poldark, in the Foxhunters’ Chase over the Grand National fences at Aintree in 1985 at the age of 46, and was still riding in his seventies.

One of the many top jockeys to start at Balding was Martin Dwyer, who said: “Ian was like a second father to me. I came from Liverpool as a snotty 16-year-old, a bit rough around the edges, and he shaped me into the person I am today. I interned with him and had some really nice winners.

“He was a good guy to drive for. He was very strict about a lot of things, but he took defeat well and always took the time to talk things through. He taught me so much. It’s very sad, but he lived a great life and he loved sport. He started so many traditions at Kingsclere that still continue today. As a boss he was great to work for, he was tough but fair, and at that stage of my life he was exactly what I needed.”

For all his achievements at the highest level on the flat, Balding never forgot his jumping roots and he relished winning the Sun Alliance’ Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival with Crystal Spirit in 1991. That was one of seven races won by Jimmy Frost on the horse, and he said of the trainer: ‘It was a privilege to ride for him and I was fortunate to be part of that.

“Crystal Spirit was a great horse, 17 hands as a 4 year old and the best looking animal. He made you realize what a good horse he was to sit on. We pretty much came out and got everything we could from the Sun Alliance. I remember talking to Brendan Powell at the top of the hill about how well we were doing. I also remember Ian being really delighted because his old headmaster had a few quid on!”

Frost, who had won the Champion Hurdle at Morley Street the previous day for Balding’s brother Toby, added: “Ian was great to ride for. He just said, ‘The horse is fit, go out there and do your best.’ They didn’t always win, but he just said, ‘We’ll go home, think about it and come back fighting.’

“It’s sad, he and Toby are both gone now. What a couple they were, it was incredible what they did for racing and for me in my life. I was lucky to be under their umbrella for a while.”