REDCAR has joinerd the tributes paid to legendary dual-purpose trainer Peter Easterby who has died aged 95.
Mr Easterby was feared at racetracks all over the country, became the first to train 1,000 winners over the jumps and on the flat, and produced equine superstars such as champion hurdlers Sea Pigeon and Night Nurse.
Called Miles Henry but known as Peter, he was based at Habton Grange, at Malton, where he has been succeeded with huge success by his son Tim.
He was champion trainer in the 1978/79, 1979/80 and 1980/81 seasons, winning the Champion Hurdle five times and Cheltenham Gold Cup twice.
His victories at Redcar included winning three Vaux Gold Tankards with the great Sea Pigeon at the end of the 1970s. He also won the Andy Capp Handicap with Revlow, ridden by Mark Birch, in 1977, and the Zetland Gold Cup with Silly Prices, ridden by Kevin Hodgson, in 1981.
Amy Fair, general manager at Redcar, said: “The Easterby family name is synonymous with horse racing, not just here in the north but nationally, and Peter will be remembered as one of the great dual-purpose trainers of our sport.
“We’re proud that Redcar played a part in his amazing career and our older racegoers will never forget seeing a legend like Sea Pigeon in action. Everyone at Redcar is deeply saddened at this morning’s news and our thoughts are with the Easterby family.”
County Durham trainer Michael Dods said: “I’ve known him all my life. He was a fantastic trainer from a fantastic racing family and a lovely man. He will be remembered for producing some of the legends of the sport, including Sea Pigeon and Night Nurse, and we are all thinking of the family at this sad time.”
As well as being a dual Champion Hurdle winner, Sea Pigeon also won two Chester Cups, and defied topweight of 10st to land the 1979 Ebor Handicap at York.
Night Nurse also triumphed in two Champion Hurdles and was narrowly denied a Cheltenham Gold Cup victory in 1981 when he was beaten by Little Owl – also trained by Peter Easterby.
Mr Easterby started training in 1950 – three years before his brother Mick – and his first Champion Hurdle victory came with Saucy Kit in 1967.
He also won the 1979 Cheltenham Gold Cup with Alverton. Other Cheltenham Festival winners included Clayside, Town Ship, King Weasel and Ryeman. Other notable horses in his care include hurdlers Stirling and Within The Law, and chasers Easby Abbey and Father Delaney.
Highlights on the Flat included winning the King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot with Goldhill, the Gimcrack Stakes at York with Sonnen Gold, the Ayr Gold Cup with Able Albert, Polly’s Brother, and Final Shot, and the Lincoln Handicap at Doncaster with Old Tom and Bronze Hill.
By the time he retired in 1996, he had registered 2,513 winners, with his last success coming at Sedgefield with Balhernoch in a novice hurdler.
He died at home with his family around him.
- PICTURE BY HANNAH ALI