Black and white jockeys racing
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Death of Derby and Arc-Winning Rider: Geoff Lewis Passes Away at 89

Following the sad losses of Barry Hills, Edward O’Grady, Stan Hayhurst, and Bruce Raymond, the racing world has bid farewell to several legendary names in the summer of 2025. The final week in August saw another racing great added to that list following the news that Geoff Lewis had passed away at the age of 89.

From humble beginnings, Lewis progressed to become one of the most successful riders of the 1970s and will forever be remembered for his partnership with one of the greatest horses of all time. Here, we look back at the career of a man who racked up over 2,000 combined wins as a jockey and a trainer and graced the biggest stages in the sport.

Humble Beginnings


Born in Brecknockshire, Wales, on December 21, 1935, Geoff Lewis boasted no links to the sport in which he would make his name. His father, Francis, worked as a general labourer, while Geoff’s first job saw him gain employment as a page boy in London following his family’s move to the English capital. By the age of 16, Geoff sought a switch from the hotel industry to a life on horseback. Starting out as an apprentice rider to Epsom-based Ron Smyth in 1952, Lewis struck for the first time aboard Eastern Imp on April 23, 1953.

A natural in the saddle, Geoff recorded his first notable success when claiming the 1955 Cumberland Lodge Stakes aboard Daemon. The rising star soon caught the eye of leading trainer Peter Hastings-Bass, who recruited Lewis to become his number one rider in 1957. Following the death of Hastings-Bass in 1964, Ian Balding stepped into the training role. For Lewis, the switch to Kingsclere laid the foundations for one of the most famous racing partnerships of the 1970s.

Mill Reef: The Horse of a Lifetime

Having partnered the Sir Winston Churchill-owned Tudor Monarch to Stewards Cup victory and grabbed 2000 Guineas gold aboard Right Tack in 1969, Lewis was no stranger to the big time. A famous Ascot Stakes and Doncaster Cup double followed in 1970, but the best was still to come.

Despite being bred for US dirt tracks, Mill Reef’s running action suggested he may be seen to better effect on turf. Going with his instinct, owner Paul Mellon transferred the colt to the Balding operation in 1969. That proved to be an inspired decision. Immediately paired with Lewis, Mill Reef won five of six outings as a juvenile, including comprehensive victories in the Coventry Stakes, Gimcrack Stakes, and Dewhurst Stakes.

Moving on to his Classic campaign, Mill Reef won the Greenham Stakes before performing admirably to finish second behind the brilliant Brigadier Gerard in the 2000 Guineas. Second best over a mile, the colt was untouchable over middle distances, winning the Epsom Derby, Eclipse Stakes, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

Adding the Prix Ganay as a four-year-old, Mill Reef was forced into retirement having sustained a serious injury at home. Happily, the greatest horse of Lewis’s career recovered to become a successful stallion. Universally recognised as one of the greatest horses of the 20th century, Mill Reef is honoured by a statue at the National Stud.

Shining on the Classic Stage


Few jockeys have the fortune to ride a horse so talented as Mill Reef. However, the all-time great was but one of a collection of Group 1 Lewis-ridden stars. The first Welshman to ride the winner of the Epsom Derby ended his riding career with 1,880 British flat wins, including eight in the most prestigious three-year-old events of the season:

  • 2000 Guineas – Right Tack (1969)
  • Epsom Derby – Mill Reef (1971)
  • 1000 Guineas – Mysterious (1973)
  • Epsom Oaks – Altesse Royale (1971), Mysterious (1973)
  • Irish 2000 Guineas – Right Tack (1969)
  • Irish Derby – Prince Regent (1969)
  • Irish Oaks – Altesse Royale (1971)

Training

Having retired from the saddle in 1979, Lewis embarked on a distinguished career as a trainer. From his base at Thirty Acre Farm in his beloved Epsom, Lewis saddled 539 winners before retiring in 1999.

While there were no Mill Reefs among the Thirty Acre inmates, Lewis scaled the Group 1 heights with Lake Coniston (1995 July Cup) and Yawa (1983 Grand Prix de Paris, 1984 Premio Roma) and claimed a European Classic with Rough Pearl in the 1984 edition of the Italian St. Leger.

Tributes Pour In


The news of Lewis’s passing was broken by a family statement on Wednesday 27 August, which read:

Geoff passed away peacefully with his family by his side. He was a much-loved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, and we will remember him with immense pride for the person he was and all he accomplished in life.

Amongst a sea of tributes from the racing industry, Willie Carson perhaps summed Lewis up best when stating:

He was one of the icons of the turf. Geoff was small in stature, but he came from being a tiny page boy to become a giant of the racing world.

RIP Geoff Lewis: 1935-2025