The Duke of Bedford, who raced top filly Snap in New Zealand, has died in England.
He was best known to New Zealanders as Lord Robin Tavistock but took up the Duke of Bedford title on the death of his father last year.
The duke and his wife, Henrietta, raced a number of horses in New Zealand.
Snap was the best of them and won the NZ Oaks at Trentham. She was trained at Matamata by Dave and Paul O'Sullivan.
Another good winner for them was Zola (also trained by the O'Sullivans) who took out the group one Ellerslie Sires' Produce Stakes for two-year-olds.
In 1995 the duke and duchess established the Bloomsbury Stud at Matamata. They bred from a select band of broodmares and had interests in several stallions.
Among other horses they bred and raced was Jupiter Island, winner of the 1986 Japan Cup.
Another star was Precocious, who won the Gimcrack and Norfolk Stakes in England.
The Duke of Bedford died on Sunday, aged 63.
Racing: Duke of Bedford dies
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