Classic-winning trainer, Andrew Balding took over the reins of the historical Park House stables in 2003 after his father, the legendary Ian Balding retired. Balding’s owners include racing royalty such as HM The Queen, and Qatar’s Prince Fahad Al-Thani and distinguished newcomers such as the late VichaiSrivaddhanaprabha, of the King Power duty-free empire.
Balding’s father, Ian was a well-known and influential figure in British racing for 50 years who will forever be associated with the equine legend Mill Reef, one of the greatest horses of the 20th century. The son of Never Bend won the Derby, Eclipse, King George and Arc under jockey Geoff Lewis during a memorable 3YO campaign in 1971 for his owner, the New York-based philanthropist Paul Mellon. Balding was British champion trainer that year. One of the great horse’s statues stands proudly at the heart of the Balding’s training establishment at Kingsclere, Hampshire, in the yard that bears his name.
Andrew, the 2000 Guineas-winning trainer has raced horses in just about every global jurisdiction and has won Group One races in the UK, Australia, Canada, Dubai and Hong Kong; 2021 sees him return to the Middle East with his best horses.
Here, paying tribute to his European style training, the Kingsclere heritage and honouring his father (Ian Balding), leading English trainer Andrew Balding shares his plans for the 2021 Dubai World Cup racenight and the Saudi Cup raceday.