Robert Sangster, the revolutionary racehorse owner, who had great success in the late 70s and throughout the 1980s, died on Wednesday aged 67, after a long battle with cancer.
The partnership he formed with legendary trainer Vincent O'Brien and stud boss John Magnier left a legacy that exists to this day, with the Coolmore operation pre-eminent in the world of breeding.
Sangster was the best-known and most-successful British-based owner of the last 30 years, topping the table in 1977, 1978, 982, 1983 and 1984, before the Maktoum family became heavily involved in racing.
He remained one of the most prominent domestically-based owners right up to his death, even though he had adopted a considerably lower profile in recent years.
He won the Derby twice, with The Minstrel in 1977 and Golden Fleece in 1982, along with a raft of other big races including the 1000 and 2000 Guineas, Eclipse Stakes and Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
The Minstrel and Golden Fleece were both trained by the legendary Vincent O'Brien and he led the tributes to Sangster.
"We were deeply saddened to learn of Robert's death today. He was a great friend, a wonderful owner and part of our family, young and old, for many years," he said in a statement.
Trusting and uncomplaining, with an excellent sense of humour, he was a joy with whom to share good times; he was enthusiastic and always grateful even for small victories.
Sangster and O'Brien enjoyed a number of big race success together, with the likes of Alleged, who won the Arc for two successive years, 2000 Guineas winner El Gran Senor and Sadler's Wells who won the Eclipse and Irish Champion Stakes before going on to be a leading stallion.
"We shared some great memories over the years with horses like The Minstrel, Alleged, El Gran Senor, Sadler's Wells and Golden Fleece and I cannot think of anybody with whom I would rather have shared them. Robert also provided our son David with his first classic success when Assert won both the French & Irish Derbys," O'Brien added.
A wonderful character who enjoyed life to the full, he will be sorely missed by everyone who was fortunate enough to have known him. Our thoughts are with his sorrowing family.
Filed by James McMahon
