By Matt Mitter (Value Rater)
As the ‘Value Rater', I am a top class horse racing form analyst and tipster and have a racing slot every Saturday morning at 10.30am on Castle Down Radio 104.7Fm alongside the broadcaster Simon Davis.
On the 25th July 2014 I was lucky enough to be invited along to conduct an interview for Castle Down Radio with Toby Balding at his home in Kimpton to discuss his 50 year career as a top class horse racing trainer. Unknown to any of us at the time, this was to be his final interview as he passed away on Thursday 25th September 2014 at the age of 78.
I was very nervous when first meeting this legend but he soon put me at ease with some prepared sandwiches and a glass of beer. As Toby pointed out, he was very keen on me drinking the beer so I would visit the toilet and see all the photos of the glory years that lined the walls of the WC!
During the interview we discussed many topics including his long standing relationship with the royal family and how proud he felt the day he was invited to join the Queen in her carriage at the Royal Ascot parade. Also, we talked about his ability to recognise potential new jockeys as he gave 18 times champion jockey, AP McCoy, his first break in the UK as well as his Champion Hurdle winner MORLEY STREET and Gold Cup winner COOL DAWN.
After the interview I was invited to stay and watch the afternoon's racing from Ascot with him where we continued to talk about horses and Toby entertained me with his numerous stories. He was also very interested to hear about my career and was able to offer plenty of wise words.
It was a truly surreal afternoon for me and I was very honoured to meet this real genius of the turf. I am not going to pretend to know Toby well as this was the first time I had met him but when reading and hearing all the tributes following his death, I can understood why he was so loved.
Toby made me feel very welcome and it really was like spending the afternoon watching racing with your granddad. A man I truly respected and an afternoon I will never forget.
