'He was different class' - training stalwart Milton Bradley dies at age of 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 licence-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 at Royal Ascot two years later.

The trainer sent out more than 1,000 winners across 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."

The Tatling wins the 2004 King's Stand Stakes under Darryll Holland

Eddie Hayward 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," said Hayward. "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.

Milton Bradley CV

Full name John Milton Bradley

Born January 5, 1935

Stables Meads Farm, Sedbury, Gloucestershire 1970-2021

First winner under rules Cwrt Bleddyn, selling hurdle, Taunton, November 26, 1970

First Flat winner Rock Bottom, seller, Bath, July 18, 1973

Group 2 winner The Tatling (2004 King's Stand Stakes)

Group 3 winner The Tatling (2003 King George Stakes, 2004 & 2005 World Trophy)

Listed winner The Tatling (2003 Porcelanosa Sprint Stakes)

Big-handicap winners Offa's Mead (1978 Bovis Handicap), Bali Royal (2002 Scottish Sprint Cup), The Tatling (2002 Coral Sprint Trophy), Salviati (2003 Hong Kong Jockey Club Sprint), Corridor Creeper (2005 Hong Kong Jockey Club Sprint), Regal Parade (2012 Coral Sprint Trophy)

Most prolific winners in a jumps season Grey Dolphin (10 wins in 1983-84), Yangtse-Kiang (8 wins in 1987-88), Mighty Marine (7 wins in 1975-76 & 1976-77)

Most prolific winners in a Flat season Nineacres (9 wins in 2000), Eastern Trumpeter (8 wins in 2000), Brevity (8 wins in 2001)

Group 1 runner-up The Tatling (2003, 2004 & 2005 Nunthorpe Stakes, 2004 Prix de l'Abbaye)

Highest-rated horse The Tatling (RPR 119 six times)

Oldest Flat winner The Tatling (2 wins aged 14, 2011)

Notable 1-2 The Tatling, Bali Royal (2003 Porcelanosa Sprint Stakes)

Last winner Iesha (80-1) Kempton, December 14, 2020

Most wins in a season 70 in 2005 (Flat), 20 in 1983-84 (jumps)

Total wins 1,037 (749 Flat, 288 jumps)

Compiled by John Randall

Read more:

Milton Bradley obituary: 'It's down to being a good stockman, knowing horses, and when they look right'