'It was his proudest story' - pioneer and Whitbread winner Bob Bowden dies at 78

Whitbread Gold Cup-winning owner Bob Bowden, who was a pioneering figure in the fields of bookmaking and racecourse management, has died at the age of 78.

He enjoyed his greatest day on course when Ushers Island came from behind to land an unlikely success from 10lb out of the handicap in the Sandown showpiece in 1994.

Bowden was also managing director of Red Onion, which led the way in supplying TVs and monitors to betting shops, and a director of Alphameric, which launched a pioneering electronic point of sales system.

In addition, he was chairman at Sedgefield and deputy chairman at Towcester – at the time it introduced free admission and greyhound racing – as well as a director at Hexham and the Racecourse Association.

Bob Bowden (far right) with Michael Conlon (far left), Peter Eastwood (next to him) and Phil Siers (second from the right) in 2005Credit: Edward Whitaker

He was also a director at bet365, where he worked alongside Steve Ibberson, who recalled: "He was very bubbly, very well known in the industry, and he had relentless stamina. If I was knackered at the end of a meeting, he'd keep going.

"The Whitbread was his proudest story and he had the photograph of the presentation on his wall in Spain. Charlie Swan rode it and if they were betting in running at that time he'd have been 500 going down the back straight.

"He was presented with the trophy by the Queen Mother and interviewed on TV by Brough Scott. He didn't take his wife Nikki with him because he told her it had no chance, so the first thing he did on TV was apologise to her!"

Bowden, who had lived in Spain for more than 15 years, is survived by his wife, two sons and a stepdaughter.

Death of Leeds owner Jim Gordon

Yorkshire-based Jim Gordon, who enjoyed considerable success as an owner for many years under his own name and that of his company Leeds Plywood and Doors, has also died at the age of 77.

He had Grade 1 success over jumps in France with Beaumec De Houelle, Bonito Du Berlais and Theleme, who landed the Prix Cambaceres for three-year-old hurdlers at Auteuil just last Sunday.

He was introduced to racing by Andy Crook, whose wife Jackie said: "He was such a gentleman. He would help anyone, he was lovely."

Nigel Tinkler trained Roundhay Park to win the Ayr Bronze Cup for him in September and said: "It's very sad. He was the best loser you could have and the best winner.

Roundhay Park (blue) wins the Ayr Bronze Cup under Faye McManomanCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

"I trained for him for the best part of 30 years and he never once moaned, he never once asked when a horse was going to run. He supported all our jockeys and all our apprentices, he gave me a free rein."

His wife predeceased him but Gordon is survived by his partner Linda, two daughters and a son.