LEGENDARY horse trainer Milton Bradley has died aged 88 – with the racing world paying tribute to a ‘great man’.
Bradley retired in 2021 after more than 50 years forging a career famed for turning cheap horses into superstars.
Times Newspapers LtdRacing has lost one of its biggest characters in Milton Bradley, who has died aged 88[/caption]
Among them was The Tatling, a £15,000 buy who went onto win £81,200 with victory in the King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot in 2004 and won almost £700,000 over the course of his career.
Bradley banged in more than 1,000 winners from his Sedbury base near Gloucestershire.
Always popular with owners, he had up 90 horses at any one time under his care.
After retiring he passed on his passion to granddaughter Hayley, who trains horses with husband Charlie Wallis in Essex.
He told the Racing Post: “There aren’t enough words to appreciate how wonderful he was.
“He was a great man who gave everybody a chance, including a lot of the jockeys.
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“I rode a few winners for him and trained some for him too which I’m very proud of.
“As a trainer he was different class, he was a very good horseman.
“I’d always be on the phone to him twice a week as I had a couple to train for him and he’d give me advice and fill me with confidence if ever we had a bad run.
“He’ll be a massive loss to me and my wife. We’re all heartbroken.”
Bradley celebrated his last winner in December 2020 when Iesha went in at 80-1 at Kempton.
Among some of his other top performers were Salviati, Corridor Creeper and jumps horse Grey Dolphin.
Ascot Racecourse was among those posting messages on social media remembering Bradley.
They posted a photo of Bradley alongside The Tatling.
While a message from Chepstow Racecourse read: “The condolences of everyone at Chepstow Racecourse go to the family and friends of trainer Milton Bradley.”