Lifelong Trainer Bradley Dies at 88

Tributes have been paid to the "remarkable" trainer Milton Bradley, and his unique ability to transform cheaply bought horses, following his death at the age of 88.

Bradley retired in 2021 after more than 50 years as a license-holder and he was best known for his gift of transforming racehorses bought for little into prolific winners and top-class performers. 

Bradley claimed The Tatling for £15,000 after the sprinter won at Catterick in 2002 and he went on to win the King's Stand Stakes (G2) at Royal Ascot two years later.

The trainer sent out more than 1,000 winners in both codes from his farm at Sedbury, situated close to the Welsh border in Gloucestershire, and other fondly remembered horses include Brevity, Sooty Tern, Grey Dolphin and Offa's Mead.

He had as many as 90 horses in his yard at one time and has passed on his enthusiasm for racing to granddaughter Hayley, who is involved with a training operation with husband Charlie Wallis in Essex.

Wallis said: "There aren't enough words to appreciate how wonderful he was. He was a great man who gave everybody a chance, including a lot of the jockeys. I rode a few winners for him and trained some for him too which I'm very proud of.

"As a trainer he was different class, he was a very good horseman. I'd always be on the phone to him twice a week as I had a couple to train for him and he'd give me advice and fill me with confidence if ever we had a bad run. He'll be a massive loss to me and my wife. We're all heartbroken."

Eddie Hayward OBE remained an owner with Bradley since having his first jumps horse with him in 1977 and the pair developed a strong friendship for more than 40 years. 

"He was a remarkable man," Hayward said. "His knowledge of racing was incredible, right from being a youngster. He went from riding horses to training them and together we've had well over 200 winners. Many of them didn't cost much too, not everyone can do that.

"He'd have a go at every race and one of the comical things he'd usually say is 'Yes, the horse is 20-1 but he doesn't know that'. We've been close friends all the way through for over 50 years."

Bradley was also given the Lifetime Achievement award for his service to the sport at the 2019 Welsh Horseracing Awards.