Mill Reef leads the way among Balding’s star performers

Ian Balding sent out more than 1,700 British winners during his lengthy training career, with countless Group race victories among them. We look back on seven of his most memorable runners – headed of course by Kingsclere’s most notable luminary.

Mill Reef

An exceptional horse from the very beginning, Mill Reef was a juvenile star who went on to the hit the heights as a three-year-old before a life-threatening injury at four put an early end to his racing days. Mill Reef had to settle for second in the 1971 2000 Guineas behind peerless miler Brigadier Gerard – but subsequent victories in the Derby, Eclipse, King George and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe demonstrated just how good he was.

Mrs Penny

A champion at two and three, Mrs Penny fell short in British Classic company but hit the mark in France. Winner of the Cherry Hinton, Lowther and Cheveley Park in 1980, the chestnut had to settle for places in the English and Irish 1000 Guineas before claiming Prix de Diane glory at Chantilly, becoming the first British-trained winner of the race in six years. Mrs Penny then posted an excellent second behind Ela Mana Mou in the King George before taking Prix Vermeille glory, showing just how tough she was after a lengthy campaign.

Glint Of Gold

The epitome of consistency, Glint Of Gold finished no worse than third in 17 starts for Balding. He chased home Shergar in the 1981 Derby and briefly looked as though he would gain compensation in the St Leger, only for outsider Cut Above to sweep through and grab the glory. Glint Of Gold racked up six Group One wins around Europe though, two each in France, Germany and Italy, before a tendon injury and high temperature scuppered his bid for Arc glory in 1982.

Crystal Spirit

Balding and owner Paul Mellon were a formidable team – and while Mill Reef took Classic gold, Crystal Spirit gave them a memorable Cheltenham Festival win in 1991. The gelding contested the SunAlliance Novices’ Hurdle on the back of victory in the Cleeve, which was a Grade One back in those days. Sent off the 2-1 favourite, Crystal Spirit was a cosy four-length winner. He also went on to win over fences for the team.

Selkirk

Third in a Derby trial, it was only once dropped back to a mile that Selkirk showed his star quality. He sprang a minor surprise when lifting the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes in 1991 at odds of 10-1, outlasting Irish challenger Kooyonga on easy ground. Winner of the Lockinge on his return the following year, Selkirk added a Celebration Mile and Challenge Stakes to his tally before retiring to stud, with Dubai Duty Free winner Cityscape one of his most notable offspring.

Lochsong

This filly had only two speeds – stop and go. Lochsong liked to do it the hard way from the front and such bold tactics saw her successfully transition from top handicapper to Group One queen. A three-times winner at the top level, Lochsong let her keen-going nature get the better of her on more than one occasion, but when things went right, it was tough to reel her back in over the minimum trip.

Dashing Blade

Another sharp two-year-old, Dashing Blade won both the National and Dewhurst Stakes as a juvenile in 1989, but failed to make quite the same splash during his Classic year. Sent off a 25-1 shot for the 2000 Guineas despite his two-year-old exploits, that price proved pretty accurate as he finished well down the field. While out of luck in two further British starts, Balding found a Group Two avenue in France before finding an Italian Group One to ensure a glorious end to his career.