Arthur Budgett, who trained at Whatcombe, near Wantage, and became the only man to have owned, bred and trained two Derby winners in the 20th century, has died aged 95.

He passed away peacefully at his home at Leckhampstead, in between Newbury and Wantage, on Tuesday evening.

Budgett is best known for his Derby winners Blakeney, who captured Epsom glory in 1969, and Morston, who claimed Flat racing’s blue riband in 1973.

He took out a licence to train at Kirtlington in 1939, but after just one season, war broke out and he served as a captain in the Indian Army in Burma and the Lebanon.

After resuming training at his old base following the Second World War, he moved to East Ilsley in 1948 when he won the Lincoln with Commissar from a record field of 58 runners.

Four years later, he moved to Whatcombe, and it was from there that he posted the Derby wins which defined his career.

Blakeney’s triumph under Ernie Johnson helped him become champion trainer, while Morston’s success four year later at 25-1 in the hands of Eddie Hide was even more remarkable as the colt had only had one previous run.

He also won the 1971 Ascot Gold Cup with Random Shot, ridden by Geoff Lewis. Budgett’s son, Chris, said: “We will remember him very fondly. He was a man to be admired in many, many ways.

“He lived a very long and full life and he has done exceptionally well, so we are very proud of him.”

Born in London, Budgett, who was educated at Eton and Oxford University, retired in 1975, and sold Whatcombe to the late pools millionaire Robert Sangster for a reported £1m.

He continued to lead an active life in retirement, including fishing and playing golf at Huntercombe GC where he was still seen out on the course at the age of 93.

He was also the inspiration behind Kirtlington Stud, which is managed by Chris, who said: “We started up with the five mares he had and it has grown to the size it is now with 45 mares.”

Former jockey Geoff Baxter joined Budgett as an apprentice only to leave after having a bad fall, before returning to Whatcombe for four years in a second spell.

“He was brilliant to me. I got on well with him and I would not have got where I did without him,” said Baxter, whose biggest winner for Budgett came on Prominent in the Magnet Cup at York.

“He was a real gentleman. I am very grateful that he supplied me with the stepping stone to get going again.”

Budgett leaves a widow Bay, sons James and Chris, and grandchildren Charles, Georgina, Tom, Will and Harriet.