Newbury Racecourse has announced that this year's renewal of the Dubai Duty Free Mill Reef Stakes will be run in honour of the late Ian Balding, who trained the mighty Mill Reef throughout the colt's glittering career.Balding, who died in January at the age of 87, was crowned champion trainer in 1971, the year that Mill Reef swept to victory in the Derby, Eclipse Stakes, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes and Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. It was a campaign that catapulted both horse and trainer to lasting fame and remains one of the finest in the sport's history.Inaugurated in 1972 – just a year on from that historic season and shortly after the retirement of Mill Reef to stud – the Mill Reef Stakes has honoured his name ever since. Open to two-year-olds only, the six-furlong contest offers increased prize-money of £175,000 in 2026, with Ian Balding's son, Andrew, currently responsible for two of the 38 entries.Scheduled to take place at Newbury on Saturday, September 19, the race will be officially titled 'The Dubai Duty Free Mill Reef Stakes (In honour of Ian Balding)'.The post Mill Reef Stakes at Newbury to Honour Legendary Trainer Ian Balding appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.