429:, the Greek shipping tycoon and sometime rival of Sangster at the sales. In the mid-1980s competition, largely with buyers from the Middle East, pushed prices to extremely high levels. The average price at Keeneland's July Select Sale rose from $ 53,000 in 1975 to more than $ 600,000 in 1984. In the same period the average at Newmarket's Houghton Sales climbed from 7,600 guineas to 92,500 guineas. In 1983
279:
513:, who trained more than 30 Group-race winners for Sangster, said, "We celebrated when we won, and usually celebrated when we lost". The racing correspondent Julian Wilson said of Sangster: "His pleasures were boxing, champagne, golf, racing and beautiful women, in no particular order, and often more than one at the same time."
441:. In response to these escalating prices, Sheikh Mohammed arranged two meetings in Dubai, the first with just Sangster and John Magnier, and a second including Vincent O'Brien and others. Although the details of these meetings were not revealed, what followed was a slump in bloodstock values at the sales of 1985 and 1986.
396:
Initially, these horses were sold to stand at stud for syndicates at vast profits. The
Minstrel, who had cost $ 200,000, was sold to America for $ 9 million; Alleged, bought for $ 175,000 as a two-year-old, went to Kentucky a year later for $ 16 million. These profits funded further purchases but by
449:
Sangster's thoroughbred racing and breeding empire included interests in
England, Australia, Venezuela, the United States, Ireland, France and New Zealand. In the early 1970s he partnered with Magnier in developing the now common practice of shuttling stallions between the northern and southern
368:
in 1977. With the success of The
Minstrel, Sangster and his partners established themselves as among the world's leading racehorse owners, going on to extraordinary success. Between 1977-84 Sangster was Britain's leading owner five times. There was a second Derby win in 1982 with
305:. Chalk Stream finished unplaced, but Sangster bought the horse as a wedding present for his fiancée and sent him to be trained by Eric Cousins. The horse won the Liverpool Autumn Cup that year and the Jubilee Handicap at
528:
and Susan Lilley. Sangster married Lilley in 1985, divorcing in 2000. By his first wife he had three sons, Guy, Ben and Adam, and a daughter, Kate. With Susan Lilley he had two sons, Sam and Max.
262:
After
National Service, Sangster joined the Vernons organisation, becoming managing director and then serving as chairman from 1980 to 1988. In that year, aware of plans for the creation of the
450:
hemispheres, helping to internationalise racing in
Australia. He had bought Swettenham, a 200-acre stud farm in Cheshire, when he was 28 and in 1985 he paid £6 million for the famous
493:, which won the Arc in the same year. In 1993 Sangster sold his interest in Coolmore, although he retained breeding rights to a number of stallions, notably Sadler's Wells and
425:
Sangster continued to invest in yearlings in partnership with associates that included Danny
Schwartz, who had made a fortune as a builder in California, and, from 1979,
1151:
409:, the latter bred at Sangster's Swettenham Stud, went on to be among the most successful stallions in the world. Sadler's Wells's legacy to Coolmore included
889:
297:
Sangster was introduced to thoroughbred racing through a friend, Nick
Robinson, who recommended a bet on Chalk Stream, a horse owned by his grandfather,
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1062:
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473:
Sangster largely withdrew from buying at the yearling sales, instead selling horses bred at his own studs. He won his final
English Classic with
1136:
516:
Sangster was married and divorced three times. In May 1960 he married
Christine Street, leaving her in 1976 (divorcing in 1978) for socialite
353:. Trained by O'Brien at his Ballydoyle stables these horses would go on to success on the track and command enormous fees standing at stud.
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in County
Tipperary. The trio became known as "the Brethren". Their idea was to use Sangster's money to buy up the best yearlings at the
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stables near Marlborough in Wiltshire, which became the centre of his racing operations in Britain. He first installed
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263:
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with the aim of breeding his own horses and had his first win in a major flat race with Brief Star in the 1969
812:
884:
Morris, Tony. "Robert Sangster 1936-2004: 'It was clear the team had found a formula for fabulous success'",
1041:
Scutts, Andrew. "Robert Sangster 1936-2004: Australians pay respect to man who changed their racing scene",
325:
In October 1971 at Haydock Park, where he was sponsoring the Vernons Sprint Cup, Sangster was introduced to
675:
193:
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333:
who was then aged 23. Sangster entered into partnership with Magnier and the legendary Irish trainer
219:, Sangster transformed the sport of thoroughbred horseracing. Their dramatic buying of American-bred
406:
844:
Morris, Tony. "The Rise and Rise of Coolmore: How the foundations were laid for a breeding empire",
635:
1057:
Masters, Rodney. "Robert Sangster 1936-2004: Hills: we celebrated when we won - and when we lost",
741:
973:
306:
86:
715:
Mottershed, Lee. "Robert Sangster 1936-2004: Racing mourns death of pioneer Robert Sangster",
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at Newmarket in 1994, but saw horses he had bred win major races for other owners, including
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401:, Coolmore began to have its own champion sires in residence. Two of Sangster's horses,
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963:, London: Harper Collins (1993), pp. 236–240, pp. 241–4, pp. 248–50.
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In 1975 they paid just under $ 1.8 million for a number of young horses, including
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and two years later Sangster and his associates paid a record $ 13.1 million for
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524:. That marriage did not last, with Sangster having well-publicised affairs with
176:
owner and breeder. Sangster's horses won 27 European Classics and more than 100
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the following May, hooking Sangster on racing. He started buying successful
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Sangster enjoyed a lively social life, entertaining lavishly in his box at
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for £90 million. Ladbrokes subsequently valued their acquisition at £1.
185:
181:
1095:
Horsetrader: Robert Sangster and the Rise and Fall of the Sport of Kings
961:
Horsetrader: Robert Sangster and the Rise and Fall of the Sport of Kings
935:
Horsetrader: Robert Sangster and the Rise and Fall of the Sport of Kings
772:
Horsetrader: Robert Sangster and the Rise and Fall of the Sport of Kings
937:, London: Harper Collins (1993), p. 122, pp. 185–190, p. 205.
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243:
business in 1926, and his wife Peggy (Margaret) Smith. He was born in
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177:
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761:, Ritz London Magazine, Issue 2, Autumn 2000. Retrieved 2012-09-25.
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in Ireland as one of the principal powers in the bloodstock world.
497:. His later breeding operations were focused mainly on Australia.
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745:
414:
52:
433:
paid $ 10.2 million at the Kentucky Sales for a yearling called
560:
259:, winning a brigade heavyweight boxing championship in Berlin.
74:
310:
1073:
Green, Graham. "Sangster UK assets less than pounds 5,000",
539:. Towards the end of his life he spent much of his time in
736:
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732:
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728:
227:
in Kentucky led to tremendous success and established the
700:
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239:
Sangster was the son of Vernon Sangster, who founded the
1023:"Last Opportunity to Acquire Robert Sangster Yearlings"
725:
1092:
1032:, Swettenham Stud, 8 April 2008. Retrieved 2012-09-25.
489:, which won the Oaks and the Irish Derby in 1994, and
349:, cornering the line of horses bred from the stallion
822:
520:, the ex-wife of Australian Liberal Party politician
880:
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902:"Super sire Sadler's Wells dies at Coolmore Stud"
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535:from the United Kingdom in 1975 and moved to the
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774:, London: Harper Collins (1993), pp. 11–15.
759:"Robert Sangster: Just an Ordinary Millionaire?"
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989:"Sangster, Once Racing's Dominant Owner, Dies"
838:
646:
251:, where he played cricket and boxed. He did
972:Thomson, Alan. "Man who loved the fillies",
797:
706:
566:
1152:Owners of Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winners
782:
780:
165:(23 May 1936 – 7 April 2004) was a British
1093:Robinson, Patrick; Robinson, Nick (1993).
692:
690:
688:
748:, 11 November 2002. Retrieved 2012-10-24.
373:; three Prix de l'Arc de Triomphes, with
1132:Deaths from pancreatic cancer in England
1004:Bartley, Patrick and Debelle, Penelope.
848:, 29 August 2001. Retrieved 2012-09-25.
777:
417:, outstanding sires in their own right.
277:
266:, he sold the Vernons Pools business to
211:From the mid-1970s, in partnership with
950:, London: Macmillan (1989), p. 66.
685:
1114:
1077:, 16 July 2005. Retrieved 2012-10-25.
1061:, 9 April 2004. Retrieved 2012-10-24.
1045:, 9 April 2004. Retrieved 2012-10-25.
976:, 9 April 2004. Retrieved 2012-10-24.
959:Robinson, Patrick and Robinson, Nick.
933:Robinson, Patrick and Robinson, Nick.
924:, 26 April 2011. Retrieved 2012-10-24.
908:, 24 April 2011. Retrieved 2012-10-24.
888:, 9 April 2004. Retrieved 2012-10-24.
868:, 27 March 2011. Retrieved 2012-09-28.
862:"The battle for the Rock of Gibraltar"
788:"Fun times off the rein with Sangster"
770:Robinson, Patrick and Robinson, Nick.
719:, 9 April 2004. Retrieved 2012-10-24.
381:in 1980; a Melbourne Cup victory with
1137:British racehorse owners and breeders
1012:, 9 April 2004. Retrieved 2012-09-25.
1006:"Racing tycoon Sangster dies aged 67"
995:, 8 April 2004. Retrieved 2012-09-25.
819:, 9 April 2004. Retrieved 2012-09-25.
794:, 9 April 2004. Retrieved 2012-09-25.
703:, 8 April 2004. Retrieved 2012-09-25.
682:, 9 April 2004. Retrieved 2012-09-25.
458:as the trainer but replaced him with
1079:Link to article on The Free Library.
1063:Link to article on The Free Library.
1047:Link to article on The Free Library.
978:Link to article on The Free Library.
890:Link to article on The Free Library.
850:Link to article on The Free Library.
835:, 1 June 2009. Retrieved 2012-09-25.
721:Link to article on The Free Library.
377:, twice, in 1977 and 1978, and with
145:(m. 1985-2000; divorced; 2 children)
1157:20th-century English businesspeople
742:"Sangster racing for work and play"
129:(m.1960-1978; divorced; 4 children)
16:British racehorse owner and breeder
13:
1086:
918:"Sadler’s Wells passes away at 30"
444:
385:, again in 1980; and a win in the
206:British flat racing Champion Owner
14:
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364:out of Fleur, who went on to win
1142:People educated at Repton School
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274:Thoroughbred racing and breeding
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235:Early years and business career
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397:the mid-1980s, beginning with
1:
1147:Owners of Epsom Derby winners
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485:, who won the Derby in 1992,
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563:, on 7 April 2004, aged 67.
285:, oil on canvas Painting by
7:
829:"Obituary: Vincent O'Brien"
813:"Obituary: Robert Sangster"
676:"Obituary: Robert Sangster"
10:
1173:
431:Sheikh Mohammed al Maktoum
194:Prix de l'Arc de Triomphes
1097:. London: HarperCollins.
640:The Sydney Morning Herald
567:British Classic Race wins
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137:(m. 1976-1978; annulled)
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30:
23:
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287:Bob Demuyser (1920-2003)
139:(m. 1978-1985; divorced)
110:Racehorse owner/breeder
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163:Robert Edmund Sangster
35:Robert Edmund Sangster
697:"Owner Sangster dies"
329:, a stud farmer from
281:
180:races, including two
1028:3 March 2016 at the
948:Emperors of the Turf
833:The Daily Telegraph
680:The Daily Telegraph
642:. 15 November 2013.
531:Sangster went into
337:, investing in the
299:Sir Foster Robinson
464:Peter Chapple-Hyam
387:Breeders' Cup Mile
290:
198:Breeders' Cup Mile
866:Irish Independent
598:Rodrigo de Triano
557:pancreatic cancer
555:Sangster died of
456:Michael Dickinson
257:Cheshire Regiment
196:, as well as the
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126:Christine Street
115:Years active
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303:Lincoln Handicap
264:National Lottery
253:National service
247:and educated at
154:Vernon Sangster
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636:"Force of life"
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466:and, latterly,
447:
445:Breeding empire
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362:Northern Dancer
351:Northern Dancer
343:Keeneland Sales
335:Vincent O'Brien
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225:Keeneland Sales
217:Vincent O'Brien
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421:Yearling sales
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407:Sadler's Wells
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585:2,000 Guineas
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573:1,000 Guineas
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501:Personal life
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133:Susan Peacock
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103:Occupation(s)
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97:Repton School
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900:Cook, Chris.
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610:The Minstrel
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479:1000 Guineas
472:
452:Manton House
448:
424:
395:
383:Beldale Ball
360:, a colt by
358:The Minstrel
355:
327:John Magnier
324:
321:The Brethren
315:Ayr Gold Cup
307:Kempton Park
296:
261:
238:
213:John Magnier
210:
208:five times.
186:Irish Derbys
182:Epsom Derbys
171:thoroughbred
162:
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69:(2004-04-07)
67:7 April 2004
18:
1127:2004 deaths
1122:1936 births
578:Las Meninas
537:Isle of Man
511:Barry Hills
507:Royal Ascot
475:Las Meninas
468:John Gosden
460:Barry Hills
399:Be My Guest
331:County Cork
167:businessman
107:Businessman
83:Nationality
45:23 May 1936
1116:Categories
623:References
526:Jerry Hall
487:Balanchine
483:Dr Devious
293:Beginnings
41:1936-05-23
545:Australia
533:tax exile
393:in 1984.
366:The Derby
268:Ladbrokes
255:with the
245:Liverpool
221:yearlings
204:. He was
178:Group One
174:racehorse
151:Parent(s)
123:Spouse(s)
118:1975–2004
93:Education
49:Liverpool
1026:Archived
596:(1984),
592:(1983),
541:Barbados
495:Danehill
491:Carnegie
403:Caerleon
347:Kentucky
200:and the
192:, three
1010:The Age
746:The Age
607:: (2):
587:: (3):
575:: (1):
477:in the
462:, then
415:Montjeu
411:Galileo
379:Detroit
375:Alleged
311:fillies
223:at the
184:, four
87:British
53:England
1101:
618:(1982)
612:(1977)
600:(1992)
590:Lomond
580:(1994)
561:London
283:Assert
188:, two
75:London
605:Derby
551:Death
389:with
1099:ISBN
543:and
413:and
405:and
215:and
64:Died
31:Born
701:BBC
559:in
345:in
1118::
1008:,
991:,
920:,
904:,
873:^
864:,
831:,
815:,
799:^
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727:^
708:^
699:,
687:^
678:,
648:^
638:.
614:,
547:.
509:.
470:.
317:.
169:,
57:UK
55:,
51:,
1107:.
43:)
39:(
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