Andrew Balding

Summary

If Andrew Balding ever met a career advisor, it’s hard to imagine the meeting having lasted longer than a moment or two. Balding’s pedigree made it quite clear - he was only ever going to do one thing with his life.

Balding comes from a family steeped in horseracing. His father Ian had trained the legendary Mill Reef. His uncle Toby Balding is one of the very few to have trained winners of the Grand National, Cheltenham Gold Cup and Champion Hurdle.

Another uncle, William Huntingdon, was a successful Flat trainer. His mother, meanwhile, is a breeding expert, his sister Clare a television and radio presenter. And then there was his great-grandfather, Aubrey Hastings, who trained four Grand National winners - one of which he rode himself.

Andrew spent some of his early years learning the ropes with his uncle Toby – he also acted as amateur jockey for him, winning 20 races. He later became his father’s assistant, running half the famous Kingsclere yard, before taking over on his own in 2003 following his father’s retirement.

He enjoyed a dream start, landing the Oaks with Casual Look in his first season. His other major success came courtesy of Phoenix Reach, who won five of 16 starts, including three Group 1 races in Canada, Hong Kong and Dubai, and almost £2 million in prize money.

A Southampton fan, Andrew Balding reveres Mick Channon both for his football prowess as well as his later exploits as – what else? – a racehorse trainer.

BCS Career Statistics