Geoff Lewis, Rider of Mill Reef, Dies at 89

[Wandering Eyes]

Geoff Lewis, rider of the great Mill Reef and later a key figure on the Epsom training scene, has died at the age of 89.

The Welshman was aboard the Ian Balding-trained Mill Reef when he won the both the Derby and Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in 1971, an association that was the highlight of a hugely successful career in the saddle. Lewis partnered the colt to win 12 of his 14 starts, with his other Group 1 victories during that exceptional three-year-old season coming in the Eclipse and King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

Mill Reef's Derby featured among five British Classic triumphs for Lewis, who also celebrated a famous win in the the 1959 Stewards' Cup aboard Tudor Monarch, owned by Sir Winston Churchill. Queen Elizabeth II's Magna Carta was another significant ally when winning the Ascot Stakes and Doncaster Cup in 1970.

After retiring from the saddle in 1979, Lewis began training from Thirty Acre Barn in Epsom. From a relatively small stable he enjoyed great success with horses such as the top sprinter Lake Coniston, who he trained for Highclere Thoroughbred Racing in the early days of their enterprise. Lake Coniston's triumphs included the July Cup and the Duke Of York.

“It is incredibly sad news. Geoff really got us going at Highclere,” said Harry Herbert, founder and chairman of the syndicate.

“He trained our first champion, Lake Coniston, to win the July Cup in 1995 and he was such an incredible character. Anyone who had horses with us and Geoff in those early days will never forget the stable visits. His daughter Mary would cook our members the most delicious lunches and Geoff and his wife Noelene were like a double act. They were wonderful; warm, welcoming and great entertainers.

“We were fortunate enough to have some really good horses with Geoff, not just Lake Coniston but Referendum too, who was second in the National Stakes in Ireland.

“He was very generous in his efforts to get Highclere started. He called on friends of his and other owners and we probably ended up having seven or eight horses with him because he was so supportive.

“It was a sad day when he gave up training. We have wonderful memories of a marvellous man, a hugely talented jockey, a hugely talented trainer and one of racing's great characters. We will miss him.”

Lewis setting up his stable in Epsom was a return to where his career had started as an apprentice for Ron Smyth, whose yard is now the base of trainer Simon Dow.

“Ron was Geoff's mentor from when he was a 15-year-old boy, so there is a strong connection between all of us,” said Dow. “He had been in a local care home and had been unwell for some time. Sadly, he died yesterday.

“He was an Epsom legend, an icon, of course he won the Derby on the great Mill Reef. He was a force to be reckoned with, both as a jockey and as a trainer. For 20 years as a trainer he was extremely successful from Thirty Acre Barn. It is very unusual for good Flat jockeys to go on to be top Flat trainers, but he was one of the few who made the transition.

“He was part of the fabric of Epsom. People of my age and generation have fantastic memories of him. He was a great character who was also extremely supportive and a friend to everyone in Epsom.”

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