The 2nd June, 1971, was the day that Ian Balding’s name became eternally synonymous with the Derby. That is the way of things when one trains a racehorse numbered among the greatest athletes ever to grace the famous Epsom Downs turf.

Born in Wexford on 16 October, 1969, Aidan Patrick O'Brien has been nothing short of a training phenomenon.

Paul Nicholls hosted a media day in the run-up to the Cheltenham Festival and over 90 turned up to see him parade some 25 horses including Kauto Star and Denman who are going head to head again in the £475,000 totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Alan King’s stables are at Barbury Castle near Marlborough in Wiltshire. Asked to name his main contenders for The Festival which takes place over four days at Cheltenham, Tuesday, 16 March to Friday, 19 March, he said: “Medermit, Bensalem, The Betchworth Kid and Mille Chief.”

Born in Lambeth on 10 December, 1950, Nicky Henderson was destined for a horseracing career, with his late father Johnny being the founder of Racecourse Holdings Trust, the Jockey Club subsidiary (and forerunner of Jockey Club Racecourses), which saved Cheltenham Racecourse and now has 14 courses under its umbrella.    

Andrew Tinkler is a talented young jockey; he has been based with top national hunt trainer Nicky Henderson since the age of sixteen.