Ryman Healthcare has named its new retirement village in Cambridge in honour of the late New Zealand horse racing and breeding legend, Sir Patrick Hogan KNZM CBE.
Sir Patrick Hogan became famous worldwide in the racing industry after he established Cambridge Stud, with foundation stallion Sir Tristram providing a bountiful bloodline that changed the shape of the thoroughbred racing industry.
The name was revealed at a special event at the Cambridge Road village that was broadcast early on TVNZ’s Breakfast show, with Sir Patrick’s widow Lady Justine Hogan helping Ryman Healthcare’s New Zealand CEO Cheyne Chalmers to unveil the new village sign.
It was the resounding favourite suggestion from a number of surveys carried out to canvas local and national opinion which included a campaign on the Breakfast show and one run by the Cambridge News.
Justine, Lady Hogan said she was deeply moved by the gesture to name the village after her late husband.
“This tribute is a beautiful way to honour his legacy and the impact he had on others.
“Thank you to Ryman Healthcare for ensuring his memory lives on in such a meaningful way and in a town he was so proud to call home.”
Representing the Hogan family, Sir Patrick's son James told Breakfast's Matty what an honour it was for his grandfather to be recognised in this way.
Lady Hogan said the wider family, including his two daughters Nicola and Erin, four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, felt incredibly humbled and proud of what their father and grandfather achieved in his lifetime and were sure it would have ‘meant the world’ to Sir Patrick too.
“He was a perfectionist in everything he did, and we know, having visited the village ourselves, that he would have been proud to put his name to something that has been built to incredibly high standards with amazing facilities on offer.”
President of the New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association, John Thompson, said Sir Patrick was ‘an icon of the thoroughbred breeding industry’ and it was a ‘very appropriate’ name for the new retirement village.
“There’s a sense of pride for the industry in this recognition of Sir Patrick’s efforts. He contributed a lot to the local community so that’s one of the reasons he’s so well respected, and successful too. He really put Cambridge on the map and took things to a whole new level,” he said.
Sir Patrick pictured with a statue of his prized champion sire Sir Tristram
Cheyne Chalmers, CEO for Ryman Healthcare – New Zealand, said it was a privilege to be able to honour Sir Patrick Hogan.
“We were blown away by the response we had when we asked for names for our new Cambridge village. We had over 1500 name submissions which is incredible, but even more wonderful was to see just how engaged people are. Some submissions were pages long, with people emailing me directly to give more context or to campaign for their choice.
“With Sir Patrick’s name being the overwhelming favourite, we know this will mean something special to this community.”
Cheyne said: “We aim to celebrate pioneering New Zealanders when we name our villages, those that have sought to go beyond the status quo and are passionate about their causes, people who have made a significant impact on the place they call home and more widely around New Zealand.
Ryman Healthcare's NZ CEO Cheyne Chalmers explains why it's so important to name our Kiwi Ryman villages after trailblazing New Zealanders.
“Sir Patrick Hogan is definitely someone who fits that description, and we feel incredibly proud to honour his legacy in this way and give our newest village an identity that our residents can feel proud of too.”
The village, located five minutes from Cambridge township, is already home to around a dozen residents while the rest is under construction. It will boast 185 beautiful two or three-bedroom townhouses, 60 one-bedroom assisted-living apartments and a state-of-the-art care centre offering rest home, hospital, and specialist dementia care rooms within the same village community. It will also offer amenities such as an all-weather bowling green, heated indoor swimming pool, café, hair and beauty salons and a movie theatre.
Above: Resident-to-be Doug Lineham stole the show with his wisecracks; below: the team gathers for the final live cross to the Breakfast team.
Born in 1939, the son of an Irish immigrant, Sir Patrick began in the horse breeding industry in the 1960s on the family farm, Fencourt Stud, with his father and brother.
Sir Patrick set out on his own, founding Cambridge Stud. Despite all advice to the contrary, he borrowed money to buy an Irish stallion sight unseen but with pedigree potential. Widespread recognition and influence followed the overwhelming success of Sir Patrick’s Cambridge Stud.
Affectionately known as ‘Paddy’, Sir Tristram sired an incredible 140 stakes winners of which there were 45 Group One winners, including three Melbourne Cup winners. Paddy’s success was continued by his son, champion sire Zabeel.
Sir Patrick’s famous determination and drive combined with his highly competitive nature saw him become the first to offer guarantees on his horses. This innovation proved fruitful, despite Sir Patrick once having to pay out on a $1 million yearling.
In 1992, Sir Patrick was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) followed by his appointment in the 2000 New Year Honours as a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (KNZM) for his contributions to thoroughbred breeding and racing.
Sir Patrick and Lady Justine were named New Zealand Breeder of the Year each year from 1994-97, with Cambridge Stud being the leading vendor at the national yearling sales for 32 consecutive years.
Sir Patrick was the first horse breeder to be honoured by induction into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame in 2005. The following year, the New Zealand racing industry made him its inaugural inductee into the New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame.
Such was Sir Patrick’s distinction, Pope John Paul II held an audience with him and he had proud memories of the late Queen Elizabeth II visit to Cambridge Stud for a personal tour in 1990.
Sir Patrick passed away on 6th January 2023 in Waikato Hospital at the age of 83.