A tribute to “remarkable” trainer Milton Bradley, and his unique ability to transform cheaply purchased horses, was paid tribute to his death at the age of 88.
Bradley retires in 2021 after more than 50 years as a licensee and he is best known for his talent in transforming cheaply purchased racehorses into outstanding winners and performers. top class performance.
Bradley claimed The Tatling for £15,000 after the sprinter won the Catterick in 2002 and he went on to win the King’s Stand Stakes (G2) at Royal Ascot two years later.
The trainer sent over 1,000 winners in both codes from his farm in Sedbury, located near the Welsh border in Gloucestershire, and other much remembered horses include Brevity, Sooty Tern, Gray Dolphin and Offa’s Mead.
He at one time had up to 90 horses in the yard and passed his passion for racing to his niece Hayley, who was training with husband Charlie Wallis in Essex.
Wallis said: “There aren’t enough words to appreciate how great he was. He was a great man who gave everyone a chance, including a lot of equestrians. I I’ve ridden a few winners for him and coached some for him.Me too I’m very proud of him.
“As a coach, he’s on another level, he’s a very good rider. I always call him twice a week because I have a pair of trainers for him and he’ll give me one. advice as well as fill me with confidence if we had a bad run. He would be a huge loss for me and my wife. We are all heartbroken.”
Eddie Hayward OBE has remained Bradley’s owner since he first hopped with him in 1977 and the pair have developed a strong friendship over 40 years.
Hayward said: “He was an extraordinary man. “His knowledge of racing was incredible, even from a young age. He went from riding horses to training them and together we have over 200 winners. Many. some of them also don’t cost a lot of money, not everyone can do it.
“He would go to every race and one of the funny things he used to say was ‘Yes, the horse is 20-1 but he doesn’t know it.’ We were best friends all the way. for over 50 years.”
Bradley was also awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award for sporting service at the 2019 Welsh Championships.
