CONGRATULATIONS to Harry Fowler on his appointment to the team at Goffs UK, but when he called me at the weekend it was to relay the sad news that a friend for many, many years, Robert Chugg, had died. A joy to meet always, he was a man with a glint in his eye and loved nothing more than some fun after the hard work of the day was done.

From a personal point of view, I knew him to be man of great kindness, a man who knew the names of my children and who would ask about them when we met. He was serious about his business, but he enjoyed it too, and in his wife Jackie he had someone who supported him totally. They made a great couple.

An accomplished amateur rider, Chuggy rode winners at Cheltenham and Aintree, before going on to develop his and Jackie’s Little Lodge Farm into a great nursery for winners and for sales horses. He had many friends in Ireland, was especially close to the Fowler family, and his company at the sales was always to be enjoyed.

Family association

With John Fowler as a partner Robert bred Banjaxed Girl (King’s Theatre), and that mare raced for a time in the colours of Lady Chich Fowler and Jackie Chugg. The listed hurdle winner, including at Cheltenham, bred the smart Kid Commando (Robin Des Champs), and he continued the association between the families, being bred by Little Lodge Farm and the Fowler’s Rahinston Farm. Last November a Getaway (Monsun) colt foal out of Banjaxed Girl sold for €65,000.

The most recent big race winner bred at Little Lodge Farm was December’s Grade 2 International Hurdle winner Guard Your Dreams (Fame And Glory).

Another great favourite bred there was Marello (Supreme Leader), winner of the Grade 2 Long Distance Hurdle and the Grade 2 West Yorkshire Hurdle.

Sudden loss

This list of winners doesn’t do justice to the life’s work of Robert and Jackie, and the sudden death of Chuggy will be felt most acutely by his wife. His many friends in racing and breeding will feel his loss at the sales and racing, especially next month at Cheltenham which will be held without his presence. Robert was always looking forward, and in January he purchased a yearling colt by Pether’s Moon (Dylan Thomas) out of a winning half-sister to Cabaret Queen (King’s Theatre), no doubt with an eye on the store sales in 2024.

A service of thanksgiving for the life of Robert Chugg will be held on the eve of Cheltenham, on Monday, March 14th at 12 noon in St Mary’s Church, Hanbury B60 4BP.

May he rest in peace.