One of the giants of Australian Thoroughbred Industry, Bob Ingham, died on Tuesday at the age of 88.
Ingham, along with brother Jack, formed one of the largest racing and breeding empires ever seen in Australia.
Their famous cerise colours were seen at the races most Saturday and the great horses like Lonhro and Octagonal carried them in many race wins.
Racing NSW CEO Peter V’landys said he was personally saddened by the news.
Bob Ingham leads Lonhro back to the winners’ stall after another Group 1 victory in 2003. Picture: Jenny Duggan
“When I first entered the industry, he was of great assistance to me and provided much learning and information,” V’landys said.
“Bob was a very kind man who had a presence and a great personality; the industry is so much the poorer for the loss of one of our legends.
“Bob was also well-known for his philanthropy, with his daughter Debbie Kepitis carrying on the racing tradition as a part-owner of the great Winx.”
Bob Ingham formed one of Australia’s biggest training and breeding empire’s with his brother Jack.
Trainer Chris Waller enjoyed a close friendship with Ingham and paid a special tribute to the man which he kept in regular contact.
“I have had the opportunity to speak to this great man and mentor each week, including last Friday,” Waller said.
“Mr Ingham, along with Robby, Lyn, Debbie and John have given me a huge amount of support since I began training for them and the manner in which they conduct their family life and business has attracted recognition from all walks of life.
“The generosity towards charities and health research are small examples of what people have come to expect from Mr Ingham and his family.”
Bob Ingham, with his brother Jack, built the family firm into Australia's largest poultry producer.
Sydney businessman, philanthropist and racing industry stalwart Bob Ingham has died at the age of 88.
"It is with a heavy heart that we announce our beloved father, Bob Ingham, passed away yesterday at home aged 88 surrounded by his family," a family statement said on Wednesday.
Bob Ingham, along with his brother Jack, built the Ingham's company into the largest producer of chickens and turkeys in Australia.
He also co-founded Bloodstock - a leading horse racing and breeding company.
Legendary owner Bob Ingham at the Inglis Australian Yearling Sales. Picture: Graham Crouch
"Bob always had a passion for horse racing. Along with Jack they turned this passion into the largest thoroughbred racing and breeding operation in Australia at the time," the family said.
"He was a pioneer and visionary of his day whose work and legacy will live on for many years.
"His hard work, commitment and philosophy of 'doing the right things and doing things right' underpinned everything he did. He made us very proud. We will miss him greatly."
Bob Ingham sold the Ingham Bloodstock operation in March 2008 to the Australian arm of the global Darley Stud, owned by Dubai's ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
At half a billion dollars, the sale was at the time the biggest deal recorded in the history of thoroughbred racing and breeding.
Racing NSW's CEO Peter V'landys said he was saddened by the loss of such a well-respected man in both racing and business who was also well known for his philanthropy.
"Bob was a very kind man who had presence and a great personality; the industry is so much the poorer for the loss of one of our legends," he said in a statement.
Ingham's, which is headquartered in the southwestern Sydney suburb of Casula, was sold to private equity firm TPG for $880 million in 2013.
"Bob, along with his brother Jack, made a significant contribution over the past 60-plus years not just to the needs of Liverpool's local population but also the greater southwest Sydney community and ultimately, through one of Australia's home-grown business success of Inghams Enterprises, the wider Australian population," the family said.
Mr Ingham's philanthropic vision for an independent specialist centre for health and medical research in Liverpool was realised in 2012, when the Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research was opened.
Mr Ingham's wife Norma died 10 years ago and he is survived by children Lyn, Debbie, Robby, and John, as well as 10 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
The family says due to COVID-19, the funeral service will be by invitation only.
In lieu of flowers, the family has asked people to make a donation to the Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research.
Article | Australian Associated Press
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