“It’s the No. 1 goal. It’s the Holy Grail. I think any person training Flat horses would have a void in their CV if they finished their career and they hadn’t won the Derby.”
So says Andrew Balding, Betway ambassador and trainer of over 1,400 winners all around the world.
It is a race with which his family have a special tradition after his father, Ian – who he succeeded at Park House Stables – won the Derby with Mill Reef in 1971.
Yet, so far, the Epsom Classic has always eluded him.
This year, however, he heads there with Kameko, winner of the 2000 Guineas in June and one of the favourites at 7/2 in the latest horse racing betting for the Derby.
In this video, we caught up with Andrew and his wife, Anna Lisa, to discuss:
- Andrew’s “woeful” record in the Derby to date
- Why Kameko is the strongest candidate they’ve ever had in the race
- What it would mean to emulate Ian’s achievement
- Where winning the Derby would rank among his career highlights