A LEGENDARY horse trainer famed for landing huge Cheltenham Festival punts has sadly died at the age of 99.
Martin Tate was described an ‘amazing dad’ with a ‘tremendous eye’ for a horse by those who loved him most.
Legendary trainer Tate has died at the age of 99
Tate, who was based near Kidderminster in Worcester, landed a giant gamble in the 1989 Coral Golden Hurdle Final at Cheltenham with Rogers Princess.
While Scot Lane won back-to-back National Hunt Handicap Chases from 1982.
There was a 1985 Aintree Hurdle winner in Bajan Sunshine while his Flash Imp came third in one of the most famous Champion Hurdles behind Sea Pigeon and Night Nurse in 1976.
Tate recorded 458 winners in all, enjoying his first all the way back in October 1958 at Hereford.
He retired from training in 2002 but professed a love for a shrewd plot job right the way until the end.
Tate’s great nephew Sam Toskins told the Racing Post: “It’s really sad but 99 is a pretty amazing age.
“He was quite legendary with his Cheltenham Festival punt.
“I loved being able to talk to him about racing stories.
“If he fancied lining one up in a handicap he was very clever at doing it and was still talking about that aged 99.”
Tate’s daughter Nikki added: “He was an amazing dad.
“He had a tremendous eye for a horse and had a really lovely lifestyle.
“He was very shrewd and remarkable with these horses.”
One of Tate’s famous wins made national news in 1999.
An article details how stewards were left flummoxed by Two Lords’ 20-1 win at Ludlow in March of that year.
The runner – who had brought Tate a £700 fine earlier in the season – was backed in from 33s and was 19lbs out of the handicap having been beaten by 50 lengths last time out.
Tate said mischievously the horse had been ‘sweetened up’ by the time he had his fourth run for him.
But the one for which he will always be remembered is Rogers Princess.
Backed into 8s, she won by 12 lengths at Cheltenham Festival under Shaun Keightley.
The win was described as a ‘colossal gamble’ for the ages.
