Legendary trainer Peter Easterby dies aged 95

Legendary racehorse trainer Peter Easterby has died astatine nan property of 95.

Easterby, based successful Malton, North Yorkshire, saddled equine greats Sea Pigeon, Night Nurse and Little Owl to big-race victories.

He was champion jumps trainer 3 times, won nan Champion Hurdle connected 5 occasions and nan Cheltenham Gold Cup twice.

The figurehead of a renowned racing family, he was nan first British trainer to person much than 1,000 winners connected some nan level and complete nan jumps.

Easterby, whose relative Mick is besides a successful trainer pinch his ain boy David, retired successful 1996 erstwhile he handed his training licence to boy Tim.

"It is pinch awesome sadness that we denote nan passing of my begetter Peter Easterby," said Tim.

"He passed distant peacefully successful his ain location pinch his family by his side. A existent gentleman, legendary racehorse trainer, passionate farmer, person of state sports and an incredibly proud begetter and grandfather."

While Sea Pigeon won some nan Champion Hurdle and Chester Cup twice, Easterby said nan biggest cheer he heard was was erstwhile nan equine won nan Ebor Handicap connected nan level astatine York successful 1979 erstwhile carrying nan apical weight.

"The announcer sewage 'Sea' retired and you couldn't perceive nan different connection 'Pigeon" because location was specified a roar, truthful that was very exciting," he recalled.

Night Nurse was different two-time champion hurdler, who was narrowly denied a Cheltenham Gold Cup triumph successful 1981, by stablemate Little Owl.

Easterby had besides won nan Gold Cup 2 years earlier pinch Alverton, who was past sent disconnected favourite for nan Grand National but died aft a autumn astatine Becher's Brook.

He held a training licence for 46 years, sending retired much than 2,500 winners and claimed his first Champion Hurdle pinch Saucy Kit successful 1967.