Montaly's paddock antics bring eerie reminder of Balding's foresight

For one who goes out of his way to ensure the safety of others, Ian Balding has scant regard for his own. A recent visit to Park House Stables, in the splendid setting of Kingsclere, saw the retired trainer back aboard a horse in his 80th year.

He had only just recovered from a crashing fall. To daughter-in-law Anna Lisa Balding's chagrin, he was not wearing the body protector she'd insisted was part of the deal over any return to riding.

It was a poignant moment: the man who has spent his whole life in thrall to horses threw Anna Lisa a look that suggested he would rather perish altogether than be denied the joys of the saddle.