Legendary Horse Racing Trainer Peter Easterby Passes Away at 95 After Five-Decade Career

Legendary Horse Racing Trainer Peter Easterby Passes Away at 95
By Zac Campbell | Updated: 12:57 BST, 9 June 2025

Renowned horse racing trainer Peter Easterby, whose career spanned nearly five decades, died peacefully at home on Monday morning at the age of 95. His son Tim announced the news, paying tribute to his father as a “true gentleman” and a titan of the sport.

A Storied Career
Easterby’s remarkable legacy includes five Champion Hurdles and two Cheltenham Gold Cups. He first gained prominence in the 1960s with Goldhill, securing two victories at Royal Ascot. His first Champion Hurdle win came in 1967 with Saucy Kit, marking the start of an era of dominance.

Peter Easterby, whose training career produced some of racing’s greatest champions.

Legendary Horses and Triumphs
Easterby trained two of the sport’s most celebrated horses: Sea Pigeon and Night Nurse. Both became household names in the late 1970s and early 1980s, each winning two Champion Hurdles. Night Nurse also claimed back-to-back titles in 1976 and 1977, while Sea Pigeon triumphed in 1980 and 1981. Easterby’s prowess extended to the Cheltenham Gold Cup, where he guided Alverton (1979) and Little Owl (1981) to victory.

On the Flat, Easterby notched historic wins, including two Lincolns, three Ayr Gold Cups, and an Ebor Handicap with Sea Pigeon. His versatility saw him finish ninth in the 1979 Flat trainers’ championship.

Sea Pigeon and Night Nurse, two legends trained by Easterby, are buried at his former yard, Habton Grange.

Family Legacy and Tributes
Easterby’s son Tim, now a trainer at the family’s Habton Grange stables in North Yorkshire, shared a heartfelt statement: “He passed away peacefully with his family by his side. His passion for racing, farming, and country life was matched only by his love for his family.”

Yorkshire’s Go Racing organization praised Easterby as a “patriarch of a racing dynasty” who set unparalleled standards. Fellow trainers and fans echoed these sentiments, celebrating his humility and enduring influence.

Tim Easterby (left) with his uncle Mick, carrying forward the family’s racing legacy.

A Farewell to the Track
Easterby retired in 1996, concluding a career that yielded 2,513 wins. His final runner, Balhernoch, delivered a fairytale ending with a victory at Sedgefield. His horses’ graves at Habton Grange stand as a testament to his enduring impact.

Peter Easterby’s legacy lives on through his family and the generations of riders and trainers he inspired. Tributes continue to pour in, honoring a man who shaped horse racing history.

Read more: Royal Ascot | Cheltenham Festival

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