Tracy Vigors, who ran Hillwood Stud in Wiltshire with her husband Charlie, has died at the age of 49.
A skilled horsewoman who played a key role in the success of Hillwood, one of the leading British consignors and boarding farms, Vigors was also mother to two sons, Harry and Oliver, both of whom compete in pony racing and are actively involved in the stud.
A message released by Charlie Vigors on Wednesday read, “Harry, Oliver and I have been overwhelmed by the love, support and kindness shown to us since the sudden passing of Tracy. The messages, letters of condolence and gifts have given us great comfort at this devastating time.
“We will be having a private funeral next week and a celebration of her life at a later date. We thank you for respecting our privacy at this desperately sad time for all of us.”
The news of Tracy's passing has been met with widespread sorrow by her many friends and colleagues in the racing world. Her dedication, both to her family and to all the horses at Hillwood, was evident in her social media posts, which spoke to her warmth, hard work and great horsemanship.
Many enjoyed following the exploits of the Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Bobs Worth, who lived out his retirement at Hillwood as a hunter for Charlie and beloved family pet. At the other end of the equine scale was Tracy's adoption of an orphan pony foal called Buttons, who also featured regularly in her bulletins on stud life.
The TDN joins many others in the bloodstock industry in offering our sincere condolences to the Vigors family.
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