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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.
NZ Herald
30-04-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
Smith in emotional tribute to friend after shock passing
'It has been a very tough week for me, and I have really struggled with it, especially when I am not busy. 'So I wanted to do something to honour Greg.' Smith asked Jess Tubbs if he could wear Greg and her racing colours when he partners One Over All in the Rowe Cup at Alexandra Park this Friday. 'Jess said yes and I am honoured to do it but, now it is getting closer, I realise it will be really emotional for me,' Smith said. 'This is the right race to do it in. This was the race last year they won with Just Believe, and they then won the Auckland Cup as the very next race, as they were both held on the same night last year. 'It was one of the biggest nights of their career, and I want to remember Greg by wearing the colours and hope we can do him justice.' This week was always going to be an emotional one at harness meetings right around Australasia, and remembering Sugars will be an integral part of Friday night's meeting, as it should be after the enormous involvement Sugars had with the New Zealand industry last year. Earlier in the night, Race four is named the 'Remembering Greg Sugars – Fond Memories from 2024 – RIP' Mobile Pace. The emotionally-charged meeting with its five black type races is the last major fixture of a huge autumn of racing in the north, with the Rowe Cup complemented by the Roy Purdon Memorial, which is elevated to Group One status this year in memory of the legend of the New Zealand industry. It is a rare Group One handicap pacing race and will see Auckland Cup and Messenger winner Republican Party, along with Don't Stop Dreaming, Mo'unga and Chase A Dream, having to give Taylor Mile winner We Walk By Faith a 10m start over just 2200m. Michael Guerin wrote his first nationally published racing articles while still in school and started writing about horse racing and the gambling industry for the Herald as a 20-year-old in 1990. He became the Herald's Racing Editor in 1995 and covers the world's biggest horse racing carnivals.
NZ Herald
27-04-2025
- Entertainment
- NZ Herald
Shocking death of hero horseman of harness racing
The death of the fit, healthy and immensely popular Sugars has left the tight-knit harness racing industry in a fog of disbelief as he had emerged as one of its brightest lights at a time when one has never been more needed. He had matured into one of Australasia's best big race drivers but it was the emergence of champion trotter Just Believe over the last three years that thrust Sugars and Tubbs on to the world stage. That included two extended campaigns in New Zealand and a trip to Sweden, where Sugars and Tubbs were treated like rock stars at the famous Elitloppet meeting. While Just Believe didn't win in Sweden it was still a career highlight for Sugars who reined over 4000 winners and won over A$40 million ($43m) in stakes. Sugars spent much of 2024 in New Zealand with Just Believe and Better Eclipse. Last May 24 he enjoyed one of the greatest nights ever by a visiting horseman as Better Eclipse and Just Believe won the Auckland and Rowe cups respectively. While Sugars' popularity and place at the top table of harness racing were never in doubt in Australia, his time here made him New Zealand's favourite Australian reinsman. What endeared him to so many was his obvious love of the horse. When Just Believe retired this year Sugars spoke about how he missed his equine mate, how a perfect afternoon would be buying a six pack of beer and sitting in the retirement paddock just hanging out with the champion who took him around the world. Sugars would spend much of his time when campaigning in New Zealand with close friend and fellow horseman Joshua Dickie. Like so many Dickie was struggling to process the news. 'I can't believe it,' Dickie said. 'We was the ultimate professional on the track, so talented and hard working. 'But off the track we would let his guard down and was a lot of fun. He was a great guy and the word I'd use to describe him the most is loyal. 'We just miss him, he was our friend.' Sugars is from a famous harness family, with his father Ross a trainer. So too is Tubbs and the pair had ascended to be the glamour couple of Australian harness racing. Away from the personal tragedy and brutal shock of his loss for those closest to him, his death will leave a crater-sized hole on the harness racing landscape. Sugars was the embodiment of what is good in racing: skilled, polite, respected for his integrity, and with a deep love for the horse. In his famous driving colours with stars emblazoned across the chest he was every inch the struggling code's 'Captain Australia', a man to be aspired to. He was the hero horseman harness racing needed, who tragically went to bed on Anzac Day and never woke up.
Daily Mail
26-04-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Racing world in mourning after shock death of 'much-loved champion' Greg Sugars
In a shocking blow to the Australian harness racing community, celebrated trainer and driver Greg Sugars has passed away unexpectedly aged just 40. The well-known trainer and driver died in his sleep after driving to New South Wales on Saturday to ready his team to race at Menangle. His wife, Jess Tubbs, announced the shocking news on social media. '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.' Harness Racing Victoria decided to cancel its meeting Saturday night in Melton '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,' Harness Racing Victoria said. Tributes for Sugars have flooded social media. '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,' posted broadcaster Andrew Bensley. SEN radio boss Craig Hutchison posted: 'Devastated to learn tonight of the passing of Greg Sugars. Shattering. 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.' Adam Hamilton posted: '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.' Sky racing wrote: 'We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of champion harness trainer/driver Greg Sugars. Our thoughts are with the Sugars family in this incredibly tough time.' We are deeply shocked and saddened to hear of Greg Sugars' passing. Greg will be remembered as one of the sport's legendary trainers and drivers, and we were privileged to see him at his best behind Just Believe in the 2023 Inter Dominion. RQ extends its condolences to Jess… — Racing Queensland (@Racing_QLD) April 26, 2025 SENTrack is saddened to hear of the passing of Greg Sugars. Our thoughts are with the Sugars family, Jess Tubbs, and all fellow participants. — SENTrack (@SEN_track) April 26, 2025 The harness racing world is in mourning following the news of his tragic passing Sugars, the son of decorated former trainer Ross Sugars, was very well-known in the world harness racing ranks. Earlier this year, he had called time on the stunning career of his global trotting champion Just Believe. Sugars trained a remarkable 4028 winners at the time of his death, 64 of those at group 1 level.
