'Genius' Peter Easterby hailed as a 'great man and a good friend' following death aged 95

Peter Easterby, the hugely successful trainer who founded a Yorkshire dynasty, has been hailed "a genius" following his death in the early hours of Monday morning at the age of 95.

Easterby, a figurehead of one of racing's most famous families, left an enduring legacy on the sport following his 46 years with a licence.

He became Britain's finest dual-purpose trainer by becoming the first to train 1,000 winners under both codes, including masterminding a then record five Champion Hurdle victories as well as two Cheltenham Gold Cup triumphs. 

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Easterby was responsible for Sea Pigeon and Night Nurse, two of the sport’s biggest stars in the late 1970s and early 1980s who are both buried in the grounds at Habton Grange, the yard near Malton in North Yorkshire where his son Tim now holds the licence, assisted by grandson William. 

Tim Easterby wrote in a post on X: "It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of my father Peter Easterby. He passed away peacefully in his own home with his family by his side. 

"A true gentleman, legendary racehorse trainer, passionate farmer, lover of country sports and an incredibly proud father and grandfather."

Born Miles Henry Easterby – known to everyone as Peter – at Knayton, near Thirsk, in 1929, he assisted his uncle Walter and Frank Hartigan before starting training in 1950, 11 years before his younger brother Mick, who still holds a licence with his own son David.

It might have taken him three years to win a race, but Easterby went on to make his mark on the biggest stage, scoring twice at Royal Ascot with Goldhill in the 1960s and landing a first Champion Hurdle with 720gns purchase Saucy Kit in 1967. Night Nurse and Sea Pigeon won two Champion Hurdles apiece, while Alverton (1979) and Little Owl (1981) took the Gold Cup.

Easterby was champion jumps trainer for three seasons running, from 1978-79 to 1980-81.

On the Flat, he won a string of big handicaps, including two Lincolns and three Ayr Gold Cups. The remarkably versatile Sea Pigeon collected an Ebor, two Chester Cups and three Vaux Gold Tankards.

Jonjo O’Neill, the leading jockey-turned-trainer, rode Sea Pigeon to victory in his first Champion Hurdle as well as successfully switching codes to win the Ebor with a remarkable weight-carrying performance under 10st. Among other many big winners for Easterby, he was aboard Alverton in the Gold Cup.

Sea Pigeon leads the way en route to winning the 1981 Champion Hurdle at CheltenhamCredit: Press Association

Leading the tributes from the racing community, O'Neill said: "He was a genius and I couldn't speak highly enough of him. He was a top man and a great person to ride for. He could train a five-furlong sprinter to a staying chaser – it didn't make any difference. Flat or jumps, he could train them all and was a great all-rounder.

"He was a relaxed and placid man to work for, which would only give you confidence. He was a great man and a good friend who will be sadly missed."

John Francome, another riding legend who was a seven-time champion jockey, partnered Sea Pigeon to his Champion Hurdle double in 1981.

He said: "Peter was a charming man, absolutely lovely. He couldn't have been easier to ride for. It was an amazing feat to train 1,000 winners, Flat and jumping.

"My favourite story about him was when Jim McGrath sent a friend to buy a horse and he said the horse was £20,000. Jim's friend said he wanted to spend a bit more than that and straight away he said that's for a half-share. That was Peter in a nutshell, he was as sharp as a tack and like that almost right up to the last minute."

Easterby also landed high-quality Flat races with Goldhill (King’s Stand Stakes) and Sonnen Gold (Gimcrack) and finished ninth in the Flat trainers’ championship in 1979, his best season.

He had sent out a total of 2,513 winners by the time he retired in 1996, scoring with his final runner when Balhernoch landed a novice hurdle at Sedgefield.

Night Nurse winning the first of two Champion Hurdles in 1976Credit: Gerry Cranham

Lifelong friend Jack Berry, the former jockey, trainer and leading fundraiser, has fond memories of a man who leaves a lasting impression on the sport.

"He was a great old boy. Look at the horses he trained –they were fabulous," he said. "He made the horses and it was before all the big money came on the scene. He was a brilliant trainer.

"I knew Peter really well and although he did a lot of bargaining and things like that, you wouldn't get a better man. The Easterbys are a really sporting family and a credit to their profession. He had a good life and helped a lot of people along the way."

Reacting to the news, the BHA released the following statement: "Everyone at the BHA is saddened to hear of the passing of Peter Easterby. He was the first British trainer to saddle 1,000 winners and is one of our sport's greatest figures. Our thoughts are with his family at this incredibly sad time."

Easterby's wife Marjorie, who died in 2012, played a huge supporting role behind the scenes and they had three children, Carolyn, Tim and Leila, with many other members of the family involved in racing.

Funeral arrangements will be announced in due course.

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