Bassetlaw horse racing trainer of 30 years retires

John Balding - whose career started in 1987 - rode winning horses as a jockey before becoming a trainer and going on to preparing Britain’s first winner at the Dubai World Cup Carnival.

Sprinter specialist John had his best season in 2003 with 21 winners - however he has saddled 250 during his career.

During the last couple of years the wins have slowed down a bit – while he had 11 winners in 2017 there were only four in 2018 and last year only two.

Grandfather-of-five John says he plans on leaving the running of his Mayflower livery to his daughter Claire Balding and her husband Jason Edmunds - who have both been successful riders.

John’s granddaughter Izzy Clifton is also a successful apprentice while his grandson Lewis Edmunds is an up-and-coming jockey.

He said: “I’ve had a good stint at it and I’ve got to the stage where I think I could do without a lot of hassle - which you get plenty of in racing.

“I’ve only got four horses in now and I’ve got plenty of other things to do.

“I’ll keep going racing with the family and keep my hand in but it’s a demanding game - you have to be on the button all the time.

“I just think I’ve done enough of it and now it’s time to pull up my straps.”