O'Brien leads Snagster tributes

Robert Sangster, the revolutionary racehorse owner, died yesterday at the age of 67 after a long illness.

Sangster was the best known and most successful British-based owner of the last 30 years, topping the table in 1977, 1978, 1982, 1983 and 1984.

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.

“Robert was a true visionary whose large-scale investment in the best American-bred yearlings in the 70s was one of the principal factors in establishing Ireland and Coolmore as major forces in the bloodstock world. His knowledge of bloodstock was extensive and professional and it was helpful to get his opinion on all aspects of horse management, training and breeding.”

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.