Balding succeeded his father, Ian, in 2003.
My personal data doesn't go back that far. However, our sample details just under 950 debutantes.This research helps in our gambling pursuits. The difference between data analysis, rather than second guessing, is that we know the 'truth' and it is a foundation to informed knowledge.
It is interesting how your perception of a trainer may be wrong. I know some say: 'Perception is reality' and that is true until you see the data.
Andrew Balding is a high-profile trainer with a wealth of owners and quality horses.
Top-class two-year-old winners include:
2022 - Dewhurst Stakes (Group 1) - Chaldean
2020 - Cheveley Park Stakes (Group 1) - Alcohol Free
2019 - Vertem Futurity Trophy (Group 1) - Kameko
2014 - Vertem Futurity Trophy (Group 1) - Elm Park
2000 Guineas: Both Kameko (2020) & Chaldean 2023) won this Classic.
Let's take a look at his two-year-old numbers. Flat season (March - November).
2021 - 65
2022 - 80
2023 - 97
2024 - 82
Balding is a talented two-year-old trainer. However, his debut win rate at 7% is nothing out of the ordinary. It's rather unnerving that he only had 4 debut winners in 2024. In fact, his stable isn't about early runners and his juveniles feature a better win rate from June onwards.
He has had debut winners up to 50/1. This compares with many larger stables who rarely win at big odds.
So what does the data say?
I'm not going to detail the exact stats because its not in my interests to do so. However, his two-year-old debutantes often struggle to win. Probably, at best, they are price to chance.
As seen with most trainers, two-year-olds have a much greater chance of winning on their second start. He's had winners up to 125/1. This was the extreme, as the next best was priced 40/1. In general, horses on their second start win at shorter odds than debutantes.
Balding often sends his better juveniles to race at Salisbury.
I often find his horses go well on testing ground.
Good luck for the season ahead.