Easterby won the Champion Hurdle five times and Cheltenham Gold Cup twice while also became the first to trainer 1,000 winners on the Flat and jumps
Legendary trainer Peter Easterby, who excelled at both jumps and Flat, has died aged 95. The founder of a racing dynasty, brother of Mick and father of Tim Easterby, whose son William is his assistant, was synonymous with some of the biggest names over jumps during the late 1970s until he turned his focus to the Flat.
From his base in Great Habton, Malton in Yorkshire, Peter ‘M H’ Easterby, trained for 46 years, setting up in 1950 11 years before younger brother Mick.
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He trained his first Royal Ascot winner in the 1960s and clinched the first of five Champion Hurdle victories with Saucy Kit in 1967.
He was champion jumps trainer three seasons in a row from the late 1970s, a period when he produced Night Nurse and Sea Pigeon to win the Champion Hurdle twice at the Cheltenham Festival and Alverton and Little Owl to land the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
He went on to become the first trainer to saddle 1,000 winners under both codes, winning a string of big handicaps on the Flat before he retired in 1996 when son Tim took over the licence.
The news of his death was broken by Tim, who posted. “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.”
Among many tributes, Go Racing in Yorkshire, said: “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.
“An incredibly popular man held in high regard by everyone who knew him. Our thoughts are with his family.
