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A great horse between 1970 and 1972, trained by Ian Balding and ridden by Geoff Lewis. Mill Reef was off to a flying start even as a two year old. He raced six times claiming five victories. These victories included major races such as the Coventry Stakes, Gimcrack Stakes and the Dewhurst Stakes. All quality races where he simply spreadeagled the fields winning these races by an average of seven lengths. He suffered just one defeat as a three and four year old and this came at the hands of the brilliant mile specialist Brigadier Gerard, in the 2000 Guineas. From there though it was success all the way and Mill Reef became the first horse to win the Derby, King George VI and the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. An outstanding achievement. Mill Reef then treated his public to a facile ten lengths win in the Prix Ganay at Lonchamp. Sadly he was only to race once more, capturing the Coronation Cup at Epsom, to prove himself as one the greatest mile and a half horses ever. In late August 1972 he fractured a leg on the gallops and was retired to stud. He met with further success as a sire, producing two Derby winners and winners of several other major races.
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