Group One-winning owner Scott Richardson passed away on Monday after a lengthy battle with illness.

 

A former stock broker, Richardson was a director of the Auckland Racing Club for 11 years until 2002.

 

A passionate racing man, he then turned his attention to his 100-acre property in Matamata which he called Flemington Farm, with well-regarded horse people Mark and Cath Lupton at the helm.

 

Richardson’s pink silks with grey armbands became synonymous with success and his greatest triumph came when Diademe won the 2015 Gr.1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) at Te Aroha.

 

Diademe, who was sold as a broodmare for A$740,000 at the conclusion of her racing career, was prepared by Murray Baker in partnership with Andrew Forsman.

 

Richardson formed a good association with Baker and was also a strong supporter of his son Bjorn, who relocated to Sydney in 2011.

 

“I first met Scott back in New Zealand around 2007 when I started training with my father,” Bjorn Baker said.

 

“We are truly grateful for the association we had with him - in fact, there are over 70 winners on the board with Scott as owner and Murray or I as trainer.

 

“When I moved to Australia to strike out on my own, Scott was one of the first to throw the weight of his support behind me, and continued to send me good horses such as Burbero and Mr Tipsy.

 

“Scott was a Group One owner and a Group One bloke. I’ll raise a beer in his honour at Rosehill on Saturday. He will be missed.”

 

Richardson also raced venerable stayer Highlad and promising mare Vee Cece.