Sir Patrick Hogan, a legendary figure in the New Zealand horse racing and breeding sectors, has passed away. He was 83.
The achievements of Cambridge Stud, the racing and breeding business Hogan founded and which helped to establish the thoroughbred racing sector in New Zealand and Australia, made him a household name in the world of horse racing.
His renown grew to the point where he once met with the Pope, and one of his finest moments came in 1990 when the late Queen Elizabeth II visited Cambridge Stud on a private tour.
Hogan, an Irishman born in New Zealand, was a racing royalty who rose to the top of the sport thanks to Sir Tristram and Zabeel of Cambridge Stud, two famous stallions that produced champions and Melbourne Cup winners.
But his unwavering success wasn’t only a result of what those two magnificent horses did. For 31 years running, he was the top seller at the Karaka yearling sales.
Financial Legacy Sir Patrick Hogan
He left a financial legacy in the racing business that was well into the hundreds of millions of dollars, money that also went to other breeders and owners around the world.
Hogan’s incredible 38-year career at Cambridge Stud was supported by stud manager Marcus Corban, who claims that professionalism and diligence were the foundation of Hogan’s success.
“He was a total perfectionist,” remembers Corban.
“He always wanted things done the right way and even though he was always up early if he had to stay up late to make sure things were done the right way, then he did that.
“That wasn’t a one-off thing for him. That was his attitude, his ethos, for decades and decades. Seven days a week almost every week.
“He had a wonderful eye for a horse and his knowledge was amazing.”
While dining on the royal yacht a few years prior, Hogan extended an invitation to Her Majesty, a huge racing and breeding enthusiast, to visit Cambridge Stud. Corban claims that despite all of his achievements on the racetrack and in the sales ring, Hogan was most proud of that day.
Sir Peter Vela, the head of New Zealand Bloodstock and one of the most well-known figures in the country’s thoroughbred racing and breeding industries, recalls that Hogan was among the first individuals to offer him advice when he first began racing.
“That was 40 years ago and he was a legend even back then,” Vela says.
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“He was always destined to be the best because he had great knowledge but always wanted to keep learning.
“He was an outstanding horseman but he had a skill a lot of people don’t, the ability to put knowledge into practice and make his ideas reality.
“Patrick was a remarkable man and very generous. Generous with his time, his knowledge and even financially generous.”
In 2017
Hogan and his wife Lady Justine Hogan sold Cambridge Stud to Brendan and Jo Lindsay, who have since proceeded to expand the establishment and built a Heritage Center on the property to properly preserve Hogan’s heritage.
“The news of Sir Patrick’s passing this morning leaves Jo and I with a great sense of sadness,” Brendan Lindsay says.
“We spent many hours with Sir Patrick following the sale of the stud and he was a regular visitor to the farm following the renovations.
“His insight and humour were obvious to us in those informal chats we enjoyed the time we spent together.
“We consider it a great honour to be allowed to continue the name Cambridge Stud that Sir Patrick and Lady Justine developed into a New Zealand icon for over 40 years.”
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Erin and Nicola, their two kids, as well as their grandchildren and great-grandchildren, survive Hogan.
As long as there are horse races in this region of the world, his influence on the Australasian thoroughbred sector will be felt.
Sir Patrick Hogan’s Married life
He married William and Phyllis Heath’s daughter Justine Alice Heath in 1962. The couple has two daughters.
Sir Patrick Hogan’s Early life and Education
On October 23, 1939, in Rotorua, Hogan was born. His father, Thomas (Tom) Hogan, who immigrated from Ballindooley, Galway, Ireland, in 1914 at the age of 19.
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His mother, Sarah Margaret Hogan (née Small), was both born in the United States. He attended St. Patrick’s College in Silverstream and Hautapu Primary School for his education.
