Epsom training legend John Benstead dies at the age of 91

John Benstead, one of the last surviving trainers of a golden era in Epsom racing history, has died at the age of 91.

Benstead retired just over 20 years ago after a training career spanning more than 40 years in which he accumulated nearly 1,000 winners.

He had the distinction of training for Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum and provided Derby-winning jockey Walter Swinburn with his first winner, Paddy's Luck at Kempton in 1978.

The closest Benstead, who was born in Claygate, Surrey, came to training a champion was when Welshwyn was officially rated joint-third among the juvenile fillies of 1980 after finishing second to Marwell in the Cheveley Park Stakes.

At that same Newmarket meeting, stablemate Baronet won the Cambridgeshire for the second time. He was the most successful horse in the history of the Cambridgeshire as he won the race twice and was second twice in five runs between 1977-81.

Benstead's most significant winner was Shaab at Warwick in April 1979 as that colt was the first winner in Britain owned by the late Sheikh Maktoum Al Maktoum.

Benstead achieved an unusual feat when winning with Blue Refrain in three successive years at Royal Ascot, in the Windsor Castle in 1978, Jersey in 1979 and Queen Anne in 1980.

One of his best-known horses was Operatic Society, his first winner on the Flat when landing the Manchester November Handicap in 1959.

Operatic Society, bought for 310gns as a two-year-old, was a tough and popular weight-carrier who raced until the age of 11. He won 30 races and was honoured with the Challenge Cup run in his name at Brighton, where he won seven races.

Paying tribute to Benstead, Epsom trainer Simon Dow said: "It's the end of an era. What a man. He was a tremendous ambassador and supporter of Epsom.

"He worked tirelessly on the parliamentary act in 1982 when Stanley Wootton passed on the Downs. He was instrumental in ensuring Wootton's wishes were carried out with the right to air and exercise over the Downs, protecting it for the training of horses."

Trainer Pat Phelan, a neighbour of Benstead, who remained at The Limes in his retirement until stricken by Alzheimer's, said: "He was a quiet and lovely man and he never missed a meeting at Lingfield in his brown Jaguar."

Angus Gold, who became Sheikh Hamdan's racing manager, said: "He trained very successfully before I was involved and he was a charming man, who Sheikh Hamdan always got on well with and we had a lot of fun days with him with the dozen horses he trained."

Chrissie Dawson, who worked for Benstead for 16 years until his retirement in 1998, said: "He was a very clever trainer and cared for his horses, finding them homes in retirement, and his staff. Many people worked for him for ten years or more and we were known as the 'Benstead babes'."

Funeral details have yet to be announced.

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