Ian on his first winner, The Quiet Man, in 1955.
Ian on Caduval, which he rated as the best he rode.
Ian Anthony Balding was born on 7 November 1938, in New Jersey, USA. His father Gerald, at that time one of the best polo players in the world, had married in 1935; his elder brother, Toby, was born a year later.
Gerald Balding brought the two boys to England in 1946 and began training jumpers at Down Farm, Westonbirt, in Gloucestershire.
Ian and Toby were then educated at a Stroud boarding prep school called Beaudesert Park.
Ian spent each school holiday riding out at Down Farm: he was also allowed to join the local Beaufort Hunt.
Two years later, Gerald Balding, deciding that he needed bigger stables, moved the family to Lynes House, Bishops Cannings. It was here on its downland gallops that Ian and Toby, now both older and stronger, were entrusted with bigger and faster ponies.
Ian had his first ride in public on The Quiet Man at Fakenham: his father had rather misjudged the sharpness of the course and the long-striding The Quiet Man, all at sea on its tight bends, finished third.
Lessons learned, the horse was sent to Ludlow a fortnight later on April 27, 1955, and, starting at 20/1, came through late and fast to provide Ian with his first winner.
On the Flat, he won the 1958 Thursby Amateur Riders' Handicap - the Amateurs' Derby - at Epsom on Jock Whitney's Playroom. Over jumps he won the Bulpin Challenge Cup Hurdle at Newton Abbot on Green Light on May 27, 1960.
In the summer of 1962 Ian started work for trainer Herbert Blagrave who was keen that Ian should pursue his career as amateur jockey. A promising chaser, Milo, was bought and, ridden by Ian, promptly won its first two novice races. However, opportunities with Herbert were generally restricted and, with his brother Toby now training and able to offer a greater number of rides, Ian returned to the family.
Despite Ian beginning to struggle with his weight, it was agreed that he should try to win the National Hunt amateurs' championship. He had come fourth a year earlier and the target seemed realistic.
Competing against the likes of John Oaksey, the Biddlecombe brothers, Bob McCreery and Gay Kindersley, Ian held his own and, towards the end of the season, was one winner ahead. However, Sir William Pigott-Brown, a wealthy young rider new to the chasing scene, was equally determined to be champion. He bought two or three excellent quality horses which were just enough to tip the balance.
Ian finished up with 20 wins, just a couple behind Sir William.
His two biggest wins were the National Hunt Chase in 1963 on Time, and Chepstow's Rhymney Breweries Chase, also in 1963, on Caduval, whom he rated the best horse he rode. He trained and rode Milo to win a Worcester hunters' chase on April 13, 1966. He subsequently rode his own horse Ross Poldark in hunter chases in the early 2000s.
Ian then turned his hand to training, meeting with early, and staggering, success. He became champion trainer in 1971 and, when retiring at the end of the 2002 season, had trained over 2,000 winners. His best horse was Mill Reef.
Ian was a fine rugby player and boxed for Cambridge University, Bath and Dorset & Wilts (while still at school). He also played cricket and squash for Marlborough.
