Former Coolmore Owner Tim Vigors Dead

Tim Vigors, a former bloodstock agent who owned Coolmore Stud in Ireland for a time, has died at the age of 82, according to the Racing Post. Vigors had been in ill health for some time.

Recognized as a force in international breeding and racing industry, Vigors proved instrumental in establishing the Cartier Awards as a way to honor Europe's champions.

Paying tribute to him was Jonathan Irwin, director of the BBA (Ireland). which had evolved out of Tim Vigors Bloodstock--"There are only two people I've met in my life who thought way ahead of their time, Tim and latterly John Magnier."

An Irish native, Vigors flew spitfires in the Battle of Britain and later fought the Japanese when based in Singapore. He was shot down and was feared lost over France. After the war, he joined Goffs as an auctioneer and manager until setting up his own bloodstock agency in 1951. In 1968, he inherited Coolmore from his father. He later became partners in the business with Vincent O'Brien and Robert Sangster before he was eventually bought out.

As a bloodstock agent, he helped secure High Chaparral's dam Kasora at auction for Irish breeder Sean Coughlan. High Chaparral won two runnings of the John Deere Breeders' Cup Turf (gr. IT).

Vigors is survived by his wife, Diana and six children.