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One of Yorkshire's richest men Sir Robert Ogden dies aged 86

Sir Robert Ogden, a successful horse owner and one of the richest men in Yorkshire, has died at the age of 86.

Also known for his philanthropy, Sir Ogden was a generous donator to charities in Yorkshire, notably those connected to palliative care for cancer.

In his horse owning career, he jointly owned Cheltenham Gold Cup winner See More Business, with Paul Barber, and in his later career, Gold Cup runner-up Exotic Dancer and Marlborough.

Born in Wisby, Bradford, on January 15, 1936, the eldest of six children, the proud Yorkshireman built a fortune after completing two years’ national service. Having started a demolition and site clearance business, he created an empire through quarrying, mining and moving into the property development business on a huge scale.

He became one of the first to spot the potential of developing the London Docklands, but despite his wealth – he was worth £153 million according to the 2020 Sunday Times Rich List – he never forgot his roots and was a generous donator to charities throughout his life.

For 20 years the Ogden Group was based at Boston Hall in Boston Spa. The grade two-listed Georgian house, which was built in 1807, was sold to the Yorkshire and England cricket legend Geoffrey Boycott in 2013 and the group moved to offices in the centre of Harrogate.

The company, which also manufactured equipment used in engineering, quarrying and mining, was founded by Robert and his brothers Joseph, Victor and John. Their success was crowned with the Queen’s Award for Industry.

The financial rewards of his highly successful business empire allowed Ogden to indulge in his passion for racing.

Although brought up around horses, his racing interest began via the haulage tycoon and former trainer Jack Hanson, a friend and neighbour of his in the village of Sicklinghall, near Wetherby.

Ogden’s first winner came in a five-furlong maiden on the Flat at Haydock when Midnight Melody obliged on November 12, 1975.

He owned half-shares in horses trained by Hanson, and their best winners were Frankie, Winter Melody and Smokey Bear.

Ogden, who disliked publicity and rarely spoke to the media – except about his charity work – lived at Sicklinghall Stud, although he spent winters abroad with his wife, Ana.

Sir Robert Ogden (left) with Amazing Maria and trainer David O'Meara (Nawton) (right) during day two of the July Festival at Newmarket Racecourse in 2015

He was knighted in 2001 for his charity efforts, which include the Sir Robert Ogden Macmillan Centre in Harrogate and the Robert Ogden School at Thurnscoe, with his philanthropy also including university scholarships for youngsters from poor backgrounds.

Ogden was initially a major owner over jumps and was champion in that sphere on three occasions (1996/97, 1999/00, 2000/01) with his best horses being Voy Por Ustedes, Marlborough, See More Business and Exotic Dancer.

See More Business won the 1999 Cheltenham Gold Cup and two King George VI Chases for owners Paul Barber and John Keighley, and Ogden bought Keighley’s half-share in January 2000.

Sir Robert Ogden Macmillan Centre was knighted in 2001 for his charity efforts, which include the Sir Robert Ogden Macmillan Centres in Northallerton (pictured) and Harrogate

In business, his attention turned to property development, and he owned shopping centres in Leeds and Harrogate.

In recent years, his racing interests had also changed focus, concentrating on the Flat. He sold all his jumpers in March 2012 as he was spending his winters overseas.

He had consecutive Albany Stakes winners La Chunga and Sander Camillo (2005-06) and their trainer, Jeremy Noseda, also handled Sans Frontieres, the owner’s only Classic winner in the Irish St Leger (2010).

The David O’Meara-trained Amazing Maria was a dual Group One winner in 2015.

Ogden is survived by his second wife Lady Ana Ogden, and two sons Adam and Robert from his first marriage.

Jockey Mick Fitzgerald, who rode a number of big winners for Ogden, was among those to pay tribute to Sir Ogden.

“I was very fortunate that I always got on really well with him and I think my best memory of him was a trip to France a few of us had on his private jet,” said Fitzgerald.

“Myself, Joe Tizzard, I think Paul Nicholls was with us, his racing manager Barry Simpson and his stud manager Gary (Norton) went over to Paris to look at some horses.

“We went for lunch after that and we basically had a very good afternoon! He was a very down to earth man, I enjoyed his company and got on well with him.

“He liked to support the northern scene too and I remember winning the Feltham on Keith Reveley’s Ungaro, that was a great day. It was a big day for Keith and I was delighted to be part of that for them.

“He bought into See More Business after he won the Gold Cup and he went on to win good races like the Martell Cup in his colours. He also had Marlborough who was a very good horse.

“I have some very nice photos, a really good one of Marlborough winning at Cheltenham, I had a lot of success in his colours.” 

Reference: Yorkshire Live: PA Sports Reporters & Charles Gray