Robert Sangster

Infobox Person
name = Robert Sangster
caption =
birth_date = birth date|1936|5|23|df=y
birth_place = Manchester, England
death_date = death date|2004|4|7|df=y
death_place =
occupation = Businessman:
Betting pools
Racehorse owner/breeder

Robert Edmund Sangster (23 May 1936 - 7 April 2004) was a well-known English thoroughbred racehorse owner and breeder. He was British flat racing Champion Owner five times and his horses won many major races, including two Epsom Derbys, four Irish Derbys, two French Derbys, three Prix de l'Arc de Triomphes and a Melbourne Cup.

Personal life

Robert Sangster was the son of Vernon Sangster, founder of the Vernons Pools business, and his wife, Peggy. Robert was born in Manchester and educated at Repton School and did National service with the Cheshire Regiment. While in the British Army he was the Champion Army Boxer. Sangster was chairman of the Vernons Organisation from 1980 to 1988, selling it in 1988 for £90 million.

Sangster was married three times: first, in May 1960, to Christine Street, by whom he had three sons: Guy, Ben and Adam and a daughter Kate. The marriage ended in 1978, when he left his wife for socialite Susan Peacock, ex-wife of Australian Liberal Party politician Andrew Peacock. Susan Peacock's daughter, Jane, was married to the racehorse trainer Peter Chapple-Hyam, who trained for Sangster at Manton Stables in the 1990s. His second marriage did not last long, with Sangster having well-publicized affairs with Jerry Hall and Susan Lilley. Sangster married Susan Lilley (formerly Susan Dean from the Isle of Man) in 1985, and the couple had two sons. The marriage ended in divorce in 2000.

Sangster went into tax exile from the United Kingdom in 1975 and moved to the Isle of Man. Towards the end of his life he spent much of his time in Barbados.

Sangster died of pancreatic cancer on 7 April 2004, age 67.

Thoroughbred racing and breeding

Sangster's thoroughbred racing and breeding empire included interests in Australia, England, Venezuela, the United States, Ireland, France, and New Zealand. His racing colours were emerald green and royal blue. His jockeys included Lester Piggott, Pat Eddery and Steve Cauthen. His trainers included Barry Hills, Vincent O'Brien David O'Brien, Eric Cousins, Michael Dickinson and Peter Chapple-Hyam.

Early years

Sangster was introduced to thoroughbred racing through a friend, Nick Robinson, who recommended a bet on Chalk Stream, a horse owned by his grandfather, in the 1960 Lincoln Handicap. Chalk Stream finished unplaced but Robert Sangster bought the horse and sent him to be trained by Eric Cousins. Sangster's first win a major flat race came with his filly Brief Star in the 1969 Ayr Gold Cup.

References

* [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/obituaries/article1057478.ece Times obituary]
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/horse_racing/3610051.stm BBC obituary]
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