Bob Morton, owner of the legendary Westmead Hawk has passed away

Bob Morton has passed away just days after Nick Savva

Bob Morton, owner of legendary English Derby champions Westmead Hawk and Westmead Lord, died today surrounded by his family at his home in Jersey after a short illness. He was 84. 

Incredibly, news of Bob’s passing comes just days after the death of his great friend and ally Nick Savva, trainer and breeder of Hawk and Lord, and a host of other champions from the famous Westmead Kennels he shared in Dunstable with his late wife Natalie, and where the Morton family, Bob and his wife Sue, and their four sons, were regular visitors over the years. 

On his dad’s passing so soon after that of Nick Savva, Morton’s son Robert said: “Maybe it was written in the stars for dad and Nick to pass within just a few days of each other. They shared some incredible times. 

“Dad had been in hospital for a time but came home to us late last week. In fact he was here when we heard that Nick had died. Dad wasn’t in a position to take or make calls but was aware of Nick’s sad passing and did manage to send an email. He described Nick in that email in three words - ‘simply the best’ - which shows you how much regard dad had for Nick.

“Greyhound racing gave us all so much. We had some amazing times and, while everyone will remember Hawk for obvious reasons, dad and Nick had so many other champions. Remember they almost won a Derby at White City with Special Account, long before Hawk and Lord. 

“Westmead Move was another amazing bitch who won a Grand Prix and Gold Collar. Westmead Surprise and Westmead Spirit, Aoife too. So many brilliant greyhounds, so many memories and pictures on the walls at home of mum and dad smiling, along with us boys - each picture seeing us grow up from just kids to young adults. 

“Wimbledon for those three Derbys in a row was amazing. Success for the Westmeads, success for British breeding and ‘The Hawk’, of course, leading to us all heading to Madame Tussauds for an unveiling of a waxwork alongside one of David Beckham! Amazing times. 

“So we have some incredible memories, even with the times Nick and dad shared at Henlow, which dad took over for a time. All the Westmead pups would start out there or at Hall Green with the Bakewells. Breeding winners was all about the journey - and dad got just as much satisfaction out of that as Nick did. 

“He was an amazing dad to us all, most importantly of course, but also had many great friends in the sport he loved. Dad and Nick really have left a legacy for greyhound racing.” 

Bob Morton leaves wife Sue and sons Andrew, Ed, Charles and Robert.