Sir Robert Ogden’s extraordinary legacy on and off the racecourse – The Yorkshire Post says

SIR Robert Ogden, who has died at the age of 86, will always be associated in these parts for the top racehorses that carried his pink and mauve silks.
Owner Sir Robert Ogden (right) and jockey Tony McCoy celebrate after winning the Paddy Power Gold Cup Handicap Chase on Exotic Dancer at Cheltenham racecourse in 2006.Owner Sir Robert Ogden (right) and jockey Tony McCoy celebrate after winning the Paddy Power Gold Cup Handicap Chase on Exotic Dancer at Cheltenham racecourse in 2006.
Owner Sir Robert Ogden (right) and jockey Tony McCoy celebrate after winning the Paddy Power Gold Cup Handicap Chase on Exotic Dancer at Cheltenham racecourse in 2006.

Yet the Bradford-born industrialist deserves to be remembered as one of the county’s foremost entrepreneurs – his family were regeneration pioneers – who never forgot his Yorkshire roots.

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His philanthropy was renowned – a National Autistic Society school in Rotherham carries his name while the Sir Robert Ogden Macmillan Centre at St James’s Hospital, Leeds, is another tribute to his generosity.

The Princess Royal presents the Seasons Holidays Queen Mother Champion Chase trophy to the owner of Voy Por Ustedes, Sir Robert Ogden, at the Cheltenham Festival.The Princess Royal presents the Seasons Holidays Queen Mother Champion Chase trophy to the owner of Voy Por Ustedes, Sir Robert Ogden, at the Cheltenham Festival.
The Princess Royal presents the Seasons Holidays Queen Mother Champion Chase trophy to the owner of Voy Por Ustedes, Sir Robert Ogden, at the Cheltenham Festival.

Just two of many such gestures, there are also countless other examples where Sir Robert did not see publicity for his benevolence because he always considered himself blessed to have been born in Yorkshire – and fortunate enough to give something back to the county that made him. A businessman who made the most of life, he will be missed by all those who he enriched.

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