| Robert Sangster | |
|---|---|
| Born | Robert Edmund Sangster 23 May 1936 Manchester, England, UK |
| Died | 7 April 2004 (aged 67) London, England, UK |
| Nationality | British |
| Ethnicity | White British |
| Education | Repton School |
| Occupation | Businessman Racehorse owner/breeder |
| Years active | 1975–2004 |
| Net worth | £100 million (US$162 million[1]) |
| Spouse | Christine Street (m. 1960–1978) (divorced); 4 children Susan Peacock (1978–?) (divorced) Susan Lilley (m. 1985–2000) (divorced); 2 children |
| Parents | Vernon Sangster (Father) Margaret Smith (Mother) |
Robert Edmund Sangster (23 May 1936–7 April 2004) was a British businessman, 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.
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Robert Sangster was the son of Vernon Sangster, founder of the Vernons Pools business, and his wife, Peggy (Margaret) Smith. 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 Sangster, Ben Sangster and Adam Sangster and a daughter Kate Amin. That 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 (from the Isle of Man) in 1985, and the couple had two sons Sam and Max Sangster. 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 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 in a major flat race came with his filly Brief Star in the 1969 Ayr Gold Cup.
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.
Sangster died of pancreatic cancer in London, on 7 April 2004, aged 67.