Legendary Mill Reef jockey Geoff Lewis dies aged 89 as tributes paid to iconic figure

Legendary jockey Geoff Lewis, who became synonymous with Mill Reef, one of the greatest racehorses of the 20th century, has died at the age of 89.

Lewis, who was born in Talgarth, Breconshire, moved to London at a young age, working as a page boy at the Waldorf Hotel before becoming an apprentice to Ron Smyth in Epsom, Surrey, around where he was to be based for most of the rest of his life. He went on to be celebrated as one of Europe’s top riders, winning five British Classic among multiple Group 1 successes, during a golden period in the sixties and seventies.

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His career peaked in 1970 when he began an association with Mill Reef, trained by Ian Balding for American tycoon Paul Mellon, which was to secure the colt a place among Flat racing’s all-time greats.

After defeat by Brigadier Gerard in the 1971 2,000 Guineas, Lewis and Mill Reef went from one success to another, adding the Eclipse, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

The union ended the following year when Mill Reef fractured a leg and had to be retired.

Lewis retired from the saddle in 1979, having ridden more than 1,800 winners in Britain, to set up as a trainer in Epsom from where he sent out nearly 500 winners before quitting in 1999.

Epsom trainer Simon Dow said on Wednesday: “Geoff had been ill for a short period of time and been resident in a local care home. He passed away yesterday.

“There is going to be a small family private service but I am sure the community will at some stage and the sport itself will want to do something to recognise him. We will speak to Epsom racecourse and see what might be arranged at a later date.”

He went on: “Geoff is the last of the old Epsom training generation. Everyone has pre-deceased him, the Smyths, Sutcliffes, Bensteads. From all of that era he was the last survivor.

“I will remember him as an iconic figure both as a jockey when I was a boy but also as an exceptionally successful Flat trainer. It’s unusual for top jockeys to go on to be very successful Flat trainers.

“He did and I remember him having success at the highest level and being a strict disciplinarian. He was a legendary figure in Epsom throughout his entire life.

“I am sure he will be fondly remembered and we’d want people to appreciate and celebrate everything that he was, how much fun he was and how successful he was. He was a truly remarkable person from a different generation who touched a lot of people.”

Former Epsom trainer Philip Mitchell said: "Geoff was a very close family friend. Mum and Dad would go on holiday with him and go to India with him when Geoff was riding there. It's very sad."