Perth stalwart and Blue Charm part-owner Tim Hardie dies at 75

Tim Hardie, who has been involved in running Perth racecourse for 20 years and who part-owned a Grand National runner-up, has died at the age of 75.

The jeweller was one of the partnership whose Sue Bradburne-trained 25-1 shot Blue Charm chased Bobbyjo home from 16lb out of the handicap at Aintree in 1999.

Blue Charm and jockey Lorcan Wyer lead the field over The Chair in the Grand National at AintreeCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

He was a great friend of Nigel Twiston-Davies, who used to stay with Hardie when racing at Perth and who won the novice chase he sponsored at the September meeting with smart horses Double Ross, Flying Angel, Ballyandy and Wholestone in the last decade.

Perth chairman John Gellatly said: "It was with a huge feeling of shock and sadness that we at Perth racecourse heard that Tim had passed away. He became a member of the Perth Hunt in 1989 and was elected to the committee in 2001. He brought a great deal of racing knowledge to meetings and had many contacts with trainers from far afield, successfully attracting a number of them to come to Perth.

"He was a jeweller of renown in Perth and was able to look after our collection of trophies, as well as sponsoring a race and presenting spectacular silverware, usually to his great friend Nigel Twiston-Davies.

Wholestone (Daryl Jacob) won the Timothy Hardie Novices' Chase at Perth for Nigel Twiston-Davies in 2019Credit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

"He was also a successful owner and passionately committed to the success of the racecourse throughout the last 20 years or so. I, for one, will miss his tremendous sense of fun, as I'm sure many others will. He was one of those people you can't help smiling about when you think of him."

Hardie, who is survived by his ex-wife Jill and two daughters, also owned the successful jumpers Ask Me Later, Willie Sparkle and Sonsie Mo – who gave Bradburne her first winner as a trainer when scoring at Sedgefield in 1989.

Others we have lost recently:

Khalid Abdullah, legendary owner-breeder of Frankel, dies aged 83

David Thompson, influential Cheveley Park Stud owner-breeder, dies aged 84

Sister of Henrietta Knight and prominent owner-breeder Lady Vestey dies aged 71

Former jockey and leading talent-spotter Gerry Griffin dies at age of 73