Ian Balding, the distinguished British racehorse trainer best known for guiding the career of the legendary Mill Reef, passed away on January 2, 2026. He was 87 years old. His family confirmed that he died at Park House Stables in Kingsclere, the historic yard he transformed into a center of global excellence during his four-decade career. Balding was a towering figure in the sport, celebrated not only for his training accolades but for his deep knowledge of horsemanship and his enduring charm.

His crowning achievement came in 1971 when he trained Paul Mellon's Mill Reef to win the Epsom Derby, the Eclipse Stakes, the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, and the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in a single season—a feat that remains one of the greatest individual campaigns in racing history. Beyond Mill Reef, he trained over 2,000 winners, including the popular sprinter Lochsong, whom he managed with particular skill to win multiple Group 1 sprints. He was also a talented amateur jockey in his youth and a mentor to countless apprentices, including future stars of the saddle.

Balding was the patriarch of a modern racing dynasty; he was the father of broadcaster Clare Balding and trainer Andrew Balding, who succeeded him at Kingsclere in 2003. Even in retirement, he remained a visible and beloved presence at the yard, often seen riding out well into his 70s. Tributes from across the racing world have described him as a 'gentleman of the turf' whose kindness, expertise, and competitive spirit left an indelible mark on the Sport of Kings.