Andrew became the licensed trainer at Kingsclere in January 2003 when he succeeded his father Ian, to whom he had been assistant since 1999. Born in London in 1972, Andrew hails from a family that is steeped in racing history. His great grandfather Aubrey Hastings was the trainer of no fewer than four Grand National winners, including Ascetic Silver who he rode himself to win the great race in 1907. His Grandfathers, Gerald Balding and Peter Hastings- Bass both trained with great success and as well as his father, his uncles Toby Balding and William Huntingdon have enjoyed training winners at the highest level.

Growing up with his sister Clare (now the BBC’s racing presenter) at Kingsclere, both children were involved with horses from an early age. Andrew attended Radley College before obtaining a degree at the Royal Agricultural College in Cirencester, during this time he rode as an amateur jockey and spent working holidays with trainers Nigel Twiston-Davies and Dan Hendricks in California.

After leaving Cirencester, Andrew joined Toby Balding’s Fyfield Stables as the yard’s amateur jockey. In just over one hundred rides he rode 20 winners under rules, which included winning The Horse and Hound Cup and The Moet and Chandon at Epsom.

 In 1997 Andrew joined the Yorkshire based trainer Lynda Ramsden for two seasons. During this time he was closely associated with horses such as Nuclear Debate, Hawksley Hill, Bishops Court and Top Cees. The latter named joined the Kingsclere team when Lynda Ramsden stopped training in 1998 and Andrew returned home assist his father.

Top Cees overcame a serious injury and advancing years and prepared by the then assistant, gained an emotional victory in the 1999 Cesarewitch at Newmarket. In 2001 Andrew took complete charge of half of the Kingsclere yard and prepared horses to run under his father’s license; amongst the winners that he sent out from his yard were Firebreak (Mill Reef Stakes Group 2, Prix Cabourg Group 3), Pentecost (Britannia Stakes) and Distant Prospect and Palua (First and second in the 2001 Cesarewitch).

Andrew is now married to Anna Lisa, they live on site at Kingsclere with Tonto and Puddle (their dogs!) Anna Lisa plays a part in various sides of the business as well as working as an account manager for Johnno Spence Consulting and also as personal assistant to her sister in law, Clare.

Since taking over the licence in 2003, Andrew has trained the winners of over 180 races and £4.5 million in prize money, he has enjoyed group 1 success in England, Dubai, Hong Kong and Canada. In 2005 he was awarded the International Trainer of the Year, at the HWPA Derby lunch. Amongst his big race winners are -

Group 1 places -