Robin Knipe, breeder of Thistlecrack and Master Oats, dies aged 80

Robin Knipe, breeder of Thistlecrack and owner of Cobhall Court Stud, died on Sunday, September 1 at the age of 80.

Knipe, along with his wife Scarlett, bred a host of headline National Hunt talents, including 1995 Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Master Oats and Anzum, winner of the Stayers' Hurdle in 1999, as well as the five-time Grade 1 winner Thistlecrack.

Both Master Oats and Anzum were by stallions who the Knipes stood at Cobhall Court Stud, with the former by Oats and latter by Ardross.

Celtic Cone, sire of Grand National winner Earth Summit and Champion Hurdle hero Celtic Shot, Alderbrook and the iconic Midnight Legend have also stood at the couple's Hereford farm during their respective stallion careers.

Knipe also enjoyed success with the Flat horses he bred, most recently with Listed Scarbrough Stakes winner Global Applause.

He and his wife also bred the Group 2 Challenge Stakes winner Fulbright, who now stands at Darley's Kildangan Stud and has his first runners hitting the track this season, and Baltic King, a prolific dual Listed winner who stood at Tally-Ho Stud during his time on stallion duty.

Thistlecrack wins the Liverpool Stayers Hurdle at Aintree in 2016Credit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Geoffrey Howson of Howson and Houldsworth Bloodstock paid warm tribute to his long-standing friend and client, saying: "I knew Robin from the early 1970s. He and Scarlett were a great team both in the racing – he was an excellent point-to-point rider – and breeding spheres, both flat and National Hunt.

"Their decision to offer Kayf Tara foals at the [Tattersalls] December Sales was a good example of their 'all round' – Robin was a keen follower of cricket, and indeed all sports – interests.

"Many of us will remember the generous and warming hospitality provided by Robin and Scarlett in Somerville P [stable yard] during a cold December Foal Sale inspection round!

"The hospitality continued into the evenings in the Green Room – whether celebrating a good sale, of which there were many of late, or commiserating over a disappointing sale.

"I can vouch for their equally generous hosting at Cobhall Court! On a personal note, I shall always appreciate Robin as being one of the first to give Matthew [Houldsworth] a commission when he started to work with me. Robin and Scarlett were a great combined force – he will be much missed."Knipe, a successful rider between the flags and under rules during his younger years until a broken back curtailed his time in the saddle, was also a familiar face on the point-to-point circuit, particularly in the Welsh borders area where he worked as a starter and an official.

"I've known Robin since the '60s when we rode together," recalled Robert Chugg of Little Lodge Farm. "When he was paralysed following a fall I actually came in for a few rides on his horses. He was a starter and did all the usual things you do when you retire from point-to-point riding.

"After his accident was when he built up the stud and he and Scarlett were very successful, both on the Flat and with their National Hunt horses.

"They bred a Gold Cup winner in Master Oats, who was by their own stallion in Oats – that was doubly rewarding for them. Latterly they had great success with Thistlecrack of Colin Tizzard's.

"He was a good friend, I went to his and Scarlett's wedding, and we used to see a lot of one another on the sales circuit."

When asked about Knipe's character, Chugg replied with a chuckle: "He was a man who enjoyed a party!"

Knipe is survived by his wife Scarlett, his children Fred and Tracy and grandchildren.

His funeral is to be held at St Andrews Church, Allensmore near Hereford on Tuesday, September 17. Donations, if desired, are to be made to the Injured Jockeys Fund and St Michael's Hospice.

Read more:

Catch up with the team behind Colin Tizzard's star Thistlecrack

Three Haydock Sprint Cup winners who made an almighty impact at stud

Peter Ebdon putting his faith in a Dominant stud performance