Latest news with #JessTubbs
News.com.au
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Harness racing: Champion driver James Herbertson to ponder future after Greg Sugars' passing
Australia's premier driver James Herbertson flew back to the US on Tuesday a shattered man and with a huge career decision to make. Herbertson, 24, spoke glowingly and straight from the heart about his great mate Greg Sugars at Monday's memorial service for the champion driver, who died on April 26. • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! 'Greg was another father, a mentor and idol … Greg, you'll never know the pedestal I had you on,' Herbertson said. Herbertson had earlier jetted back from a working holiday in the US soon after Sugars' shock passing. 'I couldn't stay in the US then. I wasn't in the right headspace to stay and had to get back to support Jess,' he said. 'Now my whole world has changed and will never be the same. 'I'm going back to finish what I started in the US. It's a chance to reset. 'To be honest, I wasn't planning on staying that long in Australia once I finished this trip, but there is so much more to consider now. 'Jess (Tubbs) will need a worker and a driver … we've all got a lot of thinking to do.' Herbertson will spend a week back in New Jersey then travel to Stockholm during the iconic Elitlopp carnival later this month. 'I'll have a week or 10 days working in a stable there and then Ewa (Justice, girlfriend) and I will have some actual holiday time in Poland and maybe another place or two. 'We don't have a fixed return date. I don't feel like putting a time on things right now, I want to play it by ear.' Herbertson drove four of the 10 winners at Melton last Saturday night, including two for Tubbs (Illawong Larajay and No Money No Honey). Tubbs has a big and impressive team of horses in work under the Larajay Farms brand she and Sugars built so quickly and successfully. Following the huge success of Kiwi Dexter Dunn and Aussie brothers Andy and Todd McCarthy, Herbertson has the credentials to become a driver in demand should he make the US home. Despite already spending a couple of weeks in the US, Herbertson still holds a 20-win lead (with 106 wins) in this season's Australian Drivers' Premiership over Queenslander Pete McMullen. Herbertson stamped his emergence on a national level when he dominated last year's premiership, finishing the season with 370 wins, 93 clear of runner-up McMullen.
News.com.au
12-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
‘The world stopped turning on April 26': Harness racing pays emotional tribute to the late Greg Sugars at Melton memorial service
Greg Sugars took centre stage at Melton one last time. The racetrack where the champion horseman drove the majority of his winners and celebrated some of his greatest moments, on Monday became the place where family, friends and the harness industry emotionally farewelled him. More than 1000 people, from all around Australia and many from NZ, gathered to hear stories of Sugars the person as much as Sugars the Hall of Fame horseman. Sugars' wife, Jess Tubbs, opened the tributes and was followed by Australia's premier driver and close friend James Herbertson, Sugars' sister, Kylie, friend and Alabar Bloodstock supremo Brett Coffey and close Kiwi friend and horseman, Gavin Smith. NZ's greatest horseman Mark Purdon flew across and other touching tributes followed from former HRNSW CEO John Dumesny, top horseman Geoff Webster, former Adelaide race caller Jim Jacques and Malcolm Wells, managing owner of Tubbs and Sugars' champion trotter Just Believe. Tubbs showed remarkable strength and vulnerability as she spoke of the life they built and the devastating loss she felt. 'After two really hard years where we focused on work more than ourselves, 2025 was meant to be our year,' she said. 'Greg was the dreamer and I was the voice of reason, it's why we worked so well together. 'There are no answers yet (as to how Sugars died), but hopefully we will in time.' Sugars died in his sleep on April 26. Tubbs and Sugars shared the greatest of highs with Just Believe, who took them around the world and won them 10 Group 1 races. He retired in January the second-richest earning trotter in Australasian history. 'The bond 'Harry' (Just Believe's stable name) and Greg had was incredible and I firmly believe he wouldn't have reached the heights he did without Greg,' Tubbs said. Wells added: 'Jess and Greg took us on a journey we could only dream of.' Herbertson, who flew back from a working holiday in the US, said Sugars was 'like another father, a mentor and an idol'. 'Greg, you'll never know the pedestal I had you on … the world stopped turning on April 26.' His sister, Kylie, talked of life growing-up in the outer suburbs of Adelaide with father Ross, a decorated horseman, and mother, Kerry. 'Try and all live your lives like Greg did. He lived it like he wanted and to heck with the finer details,' she said. 'And he went to places two kids growing up in Virginia could only dream of.' Gavin Smith first met Sugars in Adelaide 18 years ago when competing in the Australasian Young Drivers' Championship. 'I knew within two minutes we could be great mates. I remember when Jim Jacques (race caller) introduced all us drivers to the crowd in that series. We all shook our heads when Jim gave Greg the most lavish of intros, I looked over and that was the first time I saw that huge smile of his … I've never forgotten it.' Sugars, just 40, had already built a Hall of Fame career with wins in so many of Australasia's biggest races. He drove more than 4000 winners, including 71 at Group 1 level. Such was his impact, drivers throughout Australia, NZ, Sweden and numerous US tracks wore black armbands today or will in the coming days.
News.com.au
11-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Champion harness racing identity Greg Sugars to be farewelled at memorial service at Melton today
Champion harness racing horseman Greg Sugars will today be farewelled at a memorial service at Melton, a track where he scored so many of his biggest wins. A large crowd is expected at the 12pm service, which is open to the public and will feature heartfelt tributes from Sugars' family and closest friends in the Legends Room at Melton Entertainment Park. For those unable to attend, the service will be live streamed via Sugars, 40, died in his sleep on April 25 at the height of his powers. • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! The South Australian-bred horseman boasted a Hall of Fame record. He won 71 Group 1 races and drove more than 4000 winners, including wins all around Australia, NZ and even in the US. In recent years, Sugars' success with his wife and training partner, Jess Tubbs, and their champion trotter Just Believe had propelled the pair to international stardom. Just Believe won a legion of Scandinavian fans during his three-race Swedish trip in 2023. A moment to treasure forever. Greg Sugars and Jess Tubbs arriving like rock stars at the 2023 Elitlopp â�¦ @Solvalla â�© Greg’s Memorial Service from Noon tomorrow at Melton track. Also live streamed â�¦ @TheTrotsComAu â�© Video: â�¦ @ryanphelan_tv â�© — Adam Hamilton (@AdamHSport) May 10, 2025 Last year, the mighty trotter raced six times in NZ for five wins and a second, including wins in the country's three biggest trotting races, the TAB Trot, Rowe Cup and Dominion Trot. Just recently, Sugars partnered the unbeaten Always Hot to win the Group 1 NSW Derby and said he was one of the most exciting pacers he had ever driven. Sugars is remembered by his wife Jess, father Ross, mother Kerry, sister Kylie and many close friends.
West Australian
26-04-2025
- Sport
- West Australian
‘Much-loved champion' Greg Sugars dies unexpectedly aged 40 as harness racing community pays tribute
The Australian harness racing community is mourning the sudden and unexpected death of popular champion Greg Sugars aged just 40. The legendary trainer and driver died in his sleep after driving to NSW ahead of a meet at Menangle on Saturday. His wife Jess Tubbs delivered the gut-wrenching news on the social media pages of the Larajay Farm stable. 'With an absolutely shattered heart that doesn't want to believe it's possibly true, I need to share the news that Greg passed away in his sleep last night,' Jess wrote. 'He had excitedly driven our team to NSW yesterday, with none of us possibly predicting this was in our future. 'His beloved son Harvey doesn't yet understand that dad won't be home to take him to Puppy School Graduation on Tuesday. 'We are heartbroken and very much still processing everything so some time and space will be appreciated.' The emotional meeting at Menangle went ahead while Harness Racing Victoria cancelled its meeting for Melton on Saturday night 'out of respect for Greg and his family'. 'Harness Racing Victoria extends its deepest condolences to the Sugars family, Jess Tubbs, and all fellow participants following the heartbreaking news of Greg Sugars' passing,' HRV said. Sugars and Tubbs were in the midst of a new era after legendary trotter Just Believe was retired in January. Their rising star Fighter Command, which almost lost his life last year, continued his comeback with an emotional triumph at Menangle on Saturday night. The racing community mourned Sugars' death with heartfelt tributes. 'Devastated to learn tonight of the passing of Greg Sugars. Shattering,' SEN radio boss Craig Hutchison wrote. 'Much loved and respected champion driver in the trots world; thoughts of SEN's entire team entire team are with Jess, his family, and everyone at HRV. A wonderful man, taken so young. RIP.' Racing broadcaster Andrew Bensley said: 'Words simply aren't enough when you hear a story like this one. Greg Sugars had so much more to give. Condolences to the harness racing family.' Adam Hamilton wrote: 'The feeling of devastation is immense. The pain through the harness racing industry around the world is immeasurable. What a talent. What a star. What a passionate and wonderful man. RIP Greg Sugars.'
Perth Now
26-04-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
‘Much-loved champion' dies unexpectedly: ‘Taken so young'
The Australian harness racing community is mourning the sudden and unexpected death of popular champion Greg Sugars aged just 40. The legendary trainer and driver died in his sleep after driving to NSW ahead of a meet at Menangle on Saturday. His wife Jess Tubbs delivered the gut-wrenching news on the social media pages of the Larajay Farm stable. 'With an absolutely shattered heart that doesn't want to believe it's possibly true, I need to share the news that Greg passed away in his sleep last night,' Jess wrote. 'He had excitedly driven our team to NSW yesterday, with none of us possibly predicting this was in our future. 'His beloved son Harvey doesn't yet understand that dad won't be home to take him to Puppy School Graduation on Tuesday. 'We are heartbroken and very much still processing everything so some time and space will be appreciated.' The emotional meeting at Menangle went ahead while Harness Racing Victoria cancelled its meeting for Melton on Saturday night 'out of respect for Greg and his family'. 'Harness Racing Victoria extends its deepest condolences to the Sugars family, Jess Tubbs, and all fellow participants following the heartbreaking news of Greg Sugars' passing,' HRV said. If you'd like to view this content, please adjust your . To find out more about how we use cookies, please see our Cookie Guide. Sugars and Tubbs were in the midst of a new era after legendary trotter Just Believe was retired in January. Their rising star Fighter Command, which almost lost his life last year, continued his comeback with an emotional triumph at Menangle on Saturday night. If you'd like to view this content, please adjust your . To find out more about how we use cookies, please see our Cookie Guide. The racing community mourned Sugars' death with heartfelt tributes. 'Devastated to learn tonight of the passing of Greg Sugars. Shattering,' SEN radio boss Craig Hutchison wrote. 'Much loved and respected champion driver in the trots world; thoughts of SEN's entire team entire team are with Jess, his family, and everyone at HRV. A wonderful man, taken so young. RIP.' Racing broadcaster Andrew Bensley said: 'Words simply aren't enough when you hear a story like this one. Greg Sugars had so much more to give. Condolences to the harness racing family.' Adam Hamilton wrote: 'The feeling of devastation is immense. The pain through the harness racing industry around the world is immeasurable. What a talent. What a star. What a passionate and wonderful man. RIP Greg Sugars.' If you'd like to view this content, please adjust your . To find out more about how we use cookies, please see our Cookie Guide. If you'd like to view this content, please adjust your . To find out more about how we use cookies, please see our Cookie Guide.
