How Prince Philip was instrumental in shaping the career of a training legend

In heartfelt tributes paid to His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh, whose funeral takes place on Saturday, those who knew him highlighted his willingness to listen to the problems of others before offering words of advice. That quality was evident within a racing context when a young Ian Balding was faced with a dilemma.

Balding would become one of the most successful trainers of his generation until he retired in 2002, but had it not been for Prince Philip he might never have trained racehorses at all.

In March 1964 Balding took up a position as assistant trainer to Peter Hastings-Bass at the historic Park House Stables at Kingsclere. Hastings-Bass had become one of the royal trainers six months earlier when he was sent six horses owned by the Queen.