Leading Midlands-based racehorse owner John Hales – who owned the great grey One Man as well as Grand National winner Neptune Collonges – has died at the age of 85.
Hales made his money through the Golden Bear Toys company he co-founded in 1979, which went on to produce toys and merchandise from major children’s shows such as the Teletubbies, the Basil Brush Show, Thomas the Tank Engine and In The Night Garden, from their business in Telford, in Shropshire.
But he was best known for his work in sporting circles, most notably with the greatly loved One Man, trained in Cumbria by the late Gordon Richards, and his Aintree winner, the Paul Nicholls-trained Neptune Collonges almost two decades later in 2012.
One Man famously won the King George VI Chase twice in 1995 and 1996. But, although he failed to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup, he dropped in trip to win the Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Festival in 1998 – a race he won again with Azertyuiop (2004) and Politologue (2020).
In his latter years, Hales has enjoyed shared joint ownership with legendary ex-Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, Peter Done and Ged Mason.
They paid 740,000 euros (£618,577) last year for Caldwell Potter, who is in training with former champion trainer Nicholls.
Nicholls said on X: “It is with great sadness to report that John Hales passed away last evening.
“A great man and a fantastic owner and friend for many people. Thoughts with his wife Pat and his wonderful family. He will be missed by so many in racing. RIP John.”
Hales was at Windsor to enjoy his last winner just 12 days ago when Harry Skelton rode Protektorat, for brother Dan Skelton, to a 22-length win over Venetia Williams’ Djelo in the Fleur De Lys Chase.
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