Robert Sangster, Europe’s most successful racehorse owner of the past 30 years, died at his home on Wednesday after a long fight against pancreatic cancer. He was 67.
Sangster died with his family by his side in London, said Jenny McAlpine, the marketing manager of Sangster’s Collingrove Stud.
Australian Prime Minister John Howard, retired jockey Lester Piggott and training great Vincent O’Brien were among those paying tribute to Sangster.
Sangster’s horses won 27 European Classics. He also owned the 1984 Breeders Cup Mile winner, Royal Heroine, and 1980 Melbourne Cup winner Beldale Ball.
He owned the Collingrove Stud in Victoria, Australia, along with his sons Guy, Ben and Adam, and the Swettenham stud farm in southern England. He dominated European racing in the days before the oil-rich Maktoum family from Dubai took over.
”It’s hard to think of another individual who can match Robert Sangster’s influence on thoroughbred racing and breeding across the globe,” said Julian Richmond-Watson, senior steward of Britain’s Jockey Club.
”He was a pioneer who loved the sport. His passion for racing and determination to try new ideas knew no bounds. His legacy will undoubtedly live on, but he will be much missed from Flemington in Melbourne to Hollywood Park in California and, of course, Epsom in June.”
Sangster teamed up with O’Brien and stud farm owner John Magnier in the early 1970s to set up the forerunner of the famous Coolmore operation in Ireland.
Sangster, who made about £90-million pounds when he inherited the Vernons Pools company from his father, had strong connections with Australia through his racing empire and marriage to socialite Susan Peacock. They had since divorced at the time of his death.
The news reached Australian Prime Minister Howard.
”I’ve heard a few moments ago and I extend my condolences to his family,” Howard told reporters in Australia on Thursday.
Born in Liverpool, Sangster dominated the British racing scene in the late 1970s and early 1980s and enjoyed great success internationally.
With his famous green, blue and white colors, he won two Epsom Derbies with The Minstrel in 1977 and Golden Fleece in 1982, both trained by O’Brien. Assert and Caerleon won the French equivalent in 1982 and 1983 and he also had four Irish Derby winners and three triumphs in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamps, Paris, with two by Alleged.
With 125 Group One winners, Sangster was the leading owner in Britain five times from 1977 to ’84. Among thoroughbreds associated with Sangster was the Kentucky-bred Sadlers Wells, an Irish classic winner who is among the world’s top sires. He also persuaded top American jockey Steve Cauthen to ride successfully in Britain.
Sangster also made money by selling some of his successful colts, such as The Minstrel and Alleged, back to the United States for stud purposes.
”Robert was a true visionary whose large-scale investment in the best American-bred yearlings in the 1970s was one of the principal factors in establishing Ireland and Coolmore as major forces in the bloodstock world,” O’Brien said.
Piggott, who rode The Minstrel to a triple triumph in the English and Irish Derbies and the Kings George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes in 1977, said Sangster had provided him with some of his best victories.
”It’s a very sad day and the end of an era,” the former jockey said. ”I’ve known Robert since the 1960s and we had great days and so many great horses. He was a great friend and a marvellous person to ride for. We’ll miss him.”
Sangster made headlines in 1985 when he and several high-profile partners purchased Seattle Dancer, a half-brother to 1977 Triple Crown winner Seattle Slew, for a record $13,1-million at the Keeneland July selected yearling sale in Lexington.
But Seattle Dancer raced five times as a three-year-old and earned less than $150 000 from two wins, one second-place and one third-place finish, before he was retired. — Sapa-AP