Peter Easterby dead at 95: Legendary horse racing trainer who had a career spanning nearly 50 years passes away

Legendary horse racing trainer Peter Easterby has died aged 95, it was announced on Monday morning. 

Easterby won five Champion Hurdles and two Cheltenham Gold Cups throughout a career spanning nearly 50 years. 

He scored twice at Royal Ascot with Goldhill in the 1960s before achieving his first Champion Hurdle with Saucy Kit in 1967.

Tributes from the world of racing poured in after news of his death was made public by his son Tim, who released a statement that said: ‘It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of my father Peter Easterby.

‘He passed away peacefully in his own home with his family by his side. A true gentleman, legendary racehorse trainer, passionate farmer, lover of country sports and an incredibly proud father and grandfather.’

A tribute from Yorkshire-based Go Racing read: ‘The patriarch of a racing dynasty set standards and broke many records and leaves an amazing legacy to be continued by the generations to follow.

Easterby’s death was announced by his son Tim (left), who is pictured with Peter’s brother Mick (right)

‘An incredibly popular man held in high regard by everyone who knew him. Our thoughts are with his family.’

Peter trained Sea Pigeon and Night Nurse – who went on to become two of racing’s most recognisable names in the late 1970s and early 1980s. 

The pair are buried in the grounds at Habton Grange, the yard near Malton in North Yorkshire which Tim now owns the licence of. 

Heaving begun his training in 1950, 11 years before his younger brother Mick, he took three years to win a race. 

He would go on to record a string of successess, as Night Nurse and Sea Pigeon won two Champion Hurdles each as he also guided Alverton and Little Owl to Gold Cup victories in 1979 and 1981 respectively.

In the Flats, he secured a number of significant handicap victories by winning two Lincolns and three Ayr Gold Cups. 

That saw Sea Pigeon win an Ebor, two Chester Cups and three Vaux Gold Tankards.

Easterby also finished ninth in the Flat trainers’ championship in 1979, his best season in the category.

By his retirement in 1996, the iconic trainer had sent out 2,513 winners by the time, scoring with his final runner in what was a fairytale farewell to the sport when Balhernoch landed a novice hurdle at Sedgefield.