Clare Balding Pays Tribute to Her 'One-of-a-kind' Father

Death of racehorse trainer Ian Balding announced this week

Clare Balding with her father, Ian. Picture: GB News

January 2, 2026

The death of legendary racehorse trainer Ian Balding has prompted tributes from across the sporting world — but none more personal than the words shared by his daughter, broadcaster and long-time Chiswick resident Clare Balding.

Clare, who grew up immersed in the rhythms of racing life at Kingsclere before making her own name as one of Britain’s most recognisable sports presenters, posted a heartfelt message on Instagram reflecting on the man who shaped both her childhood and her career.

“My Dad was one of a kind,” she wrote. “Fearless, funny and charming he was an all round sportsman, a great trainer and a beautiful horseman. He loved his dogs, his horses and his family — probably in that order. He shared with me his passion for sport and taught me to be brave enough to chase a dream, even if it seemed impossible. We’ll miss him so much.”

For Clare, her 87-year-old father was not only a towering figure in British racing but the person who instilled in her the confidence to pursue a life in sport — first as a jockey, then as a broadcaster. She has often spoken about the discipline, humour and resilience she learned from him, qualities that have defined her own career covering Olympic Games, Royal Ascot, Wimbledon and countless major sporting moments.

While he trained Derby winners and champion racehorses, he also nurtured Clare’s early ambitions, encouraging her to ride, compete and — crucially — to persevere. That encouragement became the foundation of a broadcasting career that has made her one of the country’s most recognisable faces.

Ian Balding’s career spanned decades and produced some of the sport’s most memorable moments, including training the great Mill Reef to win the Derby, the Eclipse, the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, and the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. His reputation as a horseman was matched by his reputation as a mentor — to jockeys, stable staff, and his own children.