Former top horseracing trainer Ian Balding has been given six penalty points on his driving licence by Ipswich magistrates.

The 74-year-old was summonsed to court after failing to tell police who was driving a vehicle he owned which had previously been caught speeding at Coddenham.

Balding pleaded guilty failing to give information regarding the driver’s identity, when he his case came before South East Suffolk Magistrates Court.

Balding, of Winchester Road, Kingsclere, near Newbury, did not appear in court, but admitted the offence by post.

The charge related to the period between August 16 and September 22 and involved an 2006-registered Honda.

The vehicle had allegedly been caught speeding by a fixed camera on the A140, at one of the county’s speeding hotspots.

The Honda was said to have been clocked travelling at 66mph in the 50mph zone on the dual carriageway.

In addition to his licence being endorsed with six points, Balding was fined �350 and ordered to pay �85 costs with a �15 government surcharge.

During a highly successful training career Balding trained more than 2,000 winners.

He had many high-profile patrons including HM The Queen and Lord Sefton.

However, Balding’s most famous association was with the legendary Mill Reef, whom he trained to win The Derby and the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in 1971.

Balding was also champion trainer in the same year.

During his career he trained the winners of more than 120 Group races, before retiring from training in 2002.