Memorial service for trainer Toby Balding to be held at Marlborough College
The life of Toby Balding, a leading member of one of British horse racing’s outstanding families, will be marked at a memorial service at Marlborough College on December 15.
Toby Balding, who died last month aged 78, trained two Grand National winners, two Champion Hurdle winners and a winner of the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Born in the United States and having started schooling there, he and his brother Ian were sent to Marlborough College.
Apart from his many training successes - mainly over the jumps but also on the flat - Toby Balding was known as the mentor of young jockeys – most notably AP McCoy and Adrian Maguire.
Toby Balding’s father was a successful trainer. His brother Ian trained Mill Reef amongst many other successful horses and retired in 2002. His nephew Andrew took over Ian’s Park House Stables at Kingsclere near Newbury. Toby Balding’s niece is the racing commentator and journalist Clare Balding.