British champion jumps stallion Passing Glance has died at the age of 27 due to age-related health issues. The horse, who was one of the oldest active sires in Europe, passed away at Batsford Stud in Gloucestershire, where he had stood for the past decade.
A Prolific Sire
Passing Glance was responsible for multiple big race winners both on the Flat and over jumps. Bred by the late Ian Balding and his wife Emma, and trained by their son Andrew, Passing Glance won seven races on the Flat up to Group 2 level. After retiring to stud, he sired Side Glance, who won the Group 1 Mackinnon Stakes in Australia, also trained by Andrew Balding.
However, his greatest impact came in the jumps sphere, where he sired winners of 355 races. Among his most notable progeny were the 12-time winner Dashel Drasher, as well as Strong Leader, Millers Bank, and Mountains Windfall. He ended the 2025-26 season as the top sire by prize money in British National Hunt racing.
Tributes and Legacy
On Tuesday, Batsford Stud announced Passing Glance's death via a statement on X. The post read: "It is with a heavy heart that we have to announce the loss of Passing Glance. Sadly, at the grand old age of 27 Passing Glance succumbed to age related health conditions."
The statement continued: "He has stood at Batsford for the last 10 years when owners David and Kathleen Holmes asked us to stand their great stallion for them. Passing Glance has produced multiple Graded and black type winners including Dashel Drasher, Strong Leader, Millers Bank and Mountains Windfall, to name a few."
The stud added: "He has been a stalwart sire for us here at Batsford. As many of you know he was always full of life and covered his mares with enthusiasm! This year Passing Glance has been crowned leading British National Hunt sire for the 2025/2026 season by prize money. He leaves behind a legacy and he has so many exciting youngsters to run for him."
The post concluded: "He has left a very large void here at Batsford and he will be greatly missed. We would like to say on behalf of David and Kathleen Holmes and everyone here at Batsford thank you for supporting Passing Glance over the many years that he has been here."
