Latest news with #Sugars'
News.com.au
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
The late Greg Sugars honoured on emotional night at Melton
Brilliant young trotting mare Keayang Zahara stretched her unbeaten record to 15 starts on Saturday when carrying the silks of the late Greg Sugars on one of the one emotion-charged nights Australian harness racing has seen. The four-year-old, first-up since December 6 last year, did all of the work outside multiple Group 1 winner Im Ready Jet and lifted when it mattered to win by a head at Melton. Keayang Zahara has made a strong return to the track, winning the Hertz Melton Trotters Free For All with Glen Craven in the sulky. A touching moment, with Craven wearing the colours of Greg Sugars on a night remembering the champion reinsman at Melton Entertainment Park. — The Trots (@TheTrotsComAu) May 3, 2025 As her driver Glen Craven returned to the winner's circle, it signalled the start of a beautiful and deeply emotional on-course tribute to Sugars. A video capturing just a small snapshot of his Sugars' stellar career played as all drivers competing last night gathered on the track in front of the winning post. A podium with a set of Sugars' driving colours, some trophies and other personal items became the centrepiece of a guard of honour from drivers. Emotions overflowed when Sugars' wife, Jess Tubbs, joined the drivers on the track for a minute's silence. After the tribute, the Vale Greg Sugars Free-For-All was run and Tubbs had three of the eight runners for the Larajay stables she built into such a huge success with Sugars. Hopes of a fairytale win sat with the Tubbs-trained favourite Rocknroll Hammer, driven by one of Sugars' closest friends, James Herbertson, who had jetted back from a working holiday in the US to be at the tribute meeting. But the fairytale wasn't to be. Rocknroll Hammer led, but the Kate Gath-driven Tango Tara came off Rocknroll Hammer's back to run him down late and win. Tango Tara wins the Vale Greg Sugars Free For All for Kate and Andy Gath on a special night of remembrance at Melton Entertainment Park. — The Trots (@TheTrotsComAu) May 3, 2025 'I'm a really competitive person, but that's one race I really struggled with going past the leader,' Gath said. Earlier in the night, Gath spoke beautifully about Sugars after winning on Pinnie in race one. 'I think we're all still numb and in shock. I just can't stop thinking about Jess and Greg's family,' she said. Fighting back tears, Gath added: 'It's such a privilege tonight to come here and pay tribute to Greg, the talent and legend that he was. He was so gifted.' Gath praised Melton officials and HRV for making red, green and white ribbons to put in the manes of all horses racing on the night. 'What a beautiful touch,' she said. Tubbs spoke of how hard it was being trackside just a week after Sugars' passing in his sleep. 'We didn't get a winner tonight, but we showed up. We showed up when we didn't want to, when it would have been easier to stay home,' she wrote on Instagram. 'We showed up all week, every morning, every race meeting. We showed up for Greg. 'Greg and I often spoke about Team Larajay and our Larajay Family and I can say I've never been more proud of our team than I am right now. Love you guys.' Sugars, just 40, boasted a Hall of Fame record with over 4000 wins and 71 at Group 1 level.
Herald Sun
30-04-2025
- Sport
- Herald Sun
‘I've got to be there for Jess': Herbertson returns from US
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. Australia's premier driver James Herbertson is jetting back from a working holiday in the US to honour his idol, Greg Sugars. Herbertson is due back in Melbourne tomorrow (Thursday) and revealed he would drive in the race named in Sugars' honour, the Vale Greg Sugars Free-For-All, at Melton on Saturday night. The harness racing world has been in mourning since Sugars, aged just 40, died in his sleep last Friday night. To Herbertson, Sugars was a mate, a mentor, a father-figure and an idol. 'To be honest, I'm not in the right headspace to stay here (the US),' Herbertson said. 'I'm back tomorrow morning and don't know for how long. I'll just see how I feel. 'I've got to be there for Jess (Tubbs, Sugars' wife).' • 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! Tubbs trains three of the nine runners – Triple Eight, Rocknroll Hammer and Better Eclipse – in Saturday's night's Vale Greg Sugars Free-For-All. They will be driven by Herbertson, Kerryn Manning and Craig Demmler. Tubbs called Herbertson to tell him about Sugars' death in the early hours of Saturday morning US time. 'I didn't think Jess would be able to function, but she is just so strong … I still thought, this can't be happening,' Herbertson said. 'When I say Greg was like another parent to me, I mean it. He took me under his wing and made me into the driver I am today. 'He was one of the very best as a driver, a trainer and a human being.' • 'Wonderful person': Industry giants pay respect to Greg Sugars The day before Sugars' passing, Herbertson drove his first winner at the iconic Meadowlands track in New Jersey and was wondering why the congratulatory text he most wanted hadn't arrived after the race. 'I was on the way back to the winner's circle and thinking about Greg's winning drive in the States when he was young and wondering whether the photos would be similar,' Herbertson said. 'I just hoped he (Greg) had seen it. 'I was waiting for a message from him after the race, only to find out a few hours later he was gone. 'I swear he pushed it over the line for me as the last thing he could for me before he took his last final breath. 'Greg was my idol. My best mate. The man I went to whenever I needed help with my life, racing and everything in between.' At Melton on Saturday, drivers will wear black armbands in all races. Additionally, a reflection ceremony and minute's silence will be held at 7.05pm. Sugars drove over 4000 winners, including 71 at Group 1 level. No date has yet been set for his memorial service and funeral. • Adam Hamilton is a paid contributor writing on harness racing for News Corp. Originally published as 'I've got to be there for Jess': Premier driver James Herbertson returns from US to honour memory of Greg Sugars
News.com.au
30-04-2025
- Automotive
- News.com.au
‘I've got to be there for Jess': Premier driver James Herbertson returns from US to honour memory of Greg Sugars
Australia's premier driver James Herbertson is jetting back from a working holiday in the US to honour his idol, Greg Sugars. Herbertson is due back in Melbourne tomorrow (Thursday) and revealed he would drive in the race named in Sugars' honour, the Vale Greg Sugars Free-For-All, at Melton on Saturday night. The harness racing world has been in mourning since Sugars, aged just 40, died in his sleep last Friday night. To Herbertson, Sugars was a mate, a mentor, a father-figure and an idol. 'To be honest, I'm not in the right headspace to stay here (the US),' Herbertson said. 'I'm back tomorrow morning and don't know for how long. I'll just see how I feel. 'I've got to be there for Jess (Tubbs, Sugars' wife).' • Tubbs trains three of the nine runners – Triple Eight, Rocknroll Hammer and Better Eclipse – in Saturday's night's Vale Greg Sugars Free-For-All. They will be driven by Herbertson, Kerryn Manning and Craig Demmler. Tubbs called Herbertson to tell him about Sugars' death in the early hours of Saturday morning US time. 'I didn't think Jess would be able to function, but she is just so strong … I still thought, this can't be happening,' Herbertson said. 'When I say Greg was like another parent to me, I mean it. He took me under his wing and made me into the driver I am today. 'He was one of the very best as a driver, a trainer and a human being.' • 'Wonderful person': Industry giants pay respect to Greg Sugars The day before Sugars' passing, Herbertson drove his first winner at the iconic Meadowlands track in New Jersey and was wondering why the congratulatory text he most wanted hadn't arrived after the race. 'I was on the way back to the winner's circle and thinking about Greg's winning drive in the States when he was young and wondering whether the photos would be similar,' Herbertson said. 'I just hoped he (Greg) had seen it. 'I was waiting for a message from him after the race, only to find out a few hours later he was gone. 'I swear he pushed it over the line for me as the last thing he could for me before he took his last final breath. 'Greg was my idol. My best mate. The man I went to whenever I needed help with my life, racing and everything in between.' "He was one of the best, as a driver, a trainer and as a human being." In a touching tribute, some of harness racing's biggest names pay respect to the late Greg Sugars. @AdamHSport READ: — Racenet (@RacenetTweets) April 27, 2025 At Melton on Saturday, drivers will wear black armbands in all races. Additionally, a reflection ceremony and minute's silence will be held at 7.05pm. Sugars drove over 4000 winners, including 71 at Group 1 level. No date has yet been set for his memorial service and funeral.
Herald Sun
27-04-2025
- Sport
- Herald Sun
‘Great horseman but even better human': Industry giants pay respect to Greg Sugars
GREG Sugars' impact was as big off the track as it was on it. News of Sugars' sudden passing of a suspected aneurysm at just 40 years of age on Saturday sparked an overflow of emotions across the harness racing world, even reaching Scandinavia and the US. Sugars was not only one of the brightest stars in Australian harness racing, but one of its greatest ambassadors and most popular figures. He drove his first winner as a 16 year-old at Globe Derby on December 5, 2000 and went on to drive over 4000 winners, including 71 at Group 1 level. He was in Sydney campaigning three horses for he and wife, Jess Tubbs, when he passed away in his sleep. Tubbs, who forged such a formidable training team with Sugars, posted the news on their Larajay Farm social media accounts on Saturday. '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 … we are heartbroken and very much still processing everything … some time and space will be appreciated,' the post read. For all of Sugars' feature race success, his career was propelled to another level in recent years through the deeds of champion trotter Just Believe whose exploits spanned across three countries. Such was the lasting impact Sugars leaves behind, sometimes in just brief visits, drivers at race meetings throughout Sweden, NZ and Australia will wear black armbands in his memory on the day of his funeral. • 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! Australia's premier driver James Herbertson, speaking from the US where he is on a working holiday, credited Sugars for shaping his career. 'He was one of the best, as a driver, a trainer and a human being,' he said. 'When I say he was like a parent to me, I mean it. He took me under his wing and made me into the driver I am today. 'I'll really miss him and I know everyone back home is feeling numb.' Champion rival Luke McCarthy bonded with Sugars when they shared a room together for 10 days at the 2004 Australian Young Drivers' Championship in Perth. 'We just clicked and became very close,' he said. 'It's hard to get your head around this. He's one of the best drivers the game has seen and a great bloke on and off the track.' Australia's most successful driver Chris Alford spoke of how he and Sugars started as heated rivals, but Sugars' nature transformed their relationship. 'When he first moved to Victoria things were rough between us because we're both fierce competitors, but he quickly grew to earn my respect and that of everyone,' he said. 'He was a brilliant and hard competitor on the track but a great friend off it. I'm remembering all the great trips we had to NZ and elsewhere together.' Premier trainer Andy Gath said Sugars was one of most talented people he had seen in racing. READ: Renewed focus: Pateman puts last year's Warrnambool pain aside 'He was as gifted as you would witness and you could always see the love he had for the horses he was associated with. The mutual respect from his fellow competitors said it all.' For all of Sugars' success, partnering with Jess Tubbs in life and business took it to another level. They were a powerhouse. 'That was on full display when they took Just Believe to Sweden in 2023. To see the respect and admiration they gained and the great way they represented their country was remarkable,' Harness Racing Australia CEO Andrew Kelly said. Harness Racing Victoria abandoned Saturday night's Melton meeting when news of Sugars' passing broke. The meeting at Menangle went on, with Fighter Command, which was to be driven by Sugars, scoring under the guidance of Gavin Fitzpatrick. 'The industry is devastated. We've lost one of the game's best, a wonderful person and great ambassador,' HRV chairman Bernard Saundry said. 'Our hearts go out to Jess and the entire Sugars family and we're here to support all those in the industry struggling with the loss.' Sugars is survived by wife Jess, father Ross, mother Kerry and sister Kylie. Details of his funeral are yet to be finalised. *************************** THE REMARKABLE CAREER OF GREG SUGARS 4028 CAREER WINS 6500 CAREER PLACINGS 71 GROUP 1 WINS PRIZEMONEY: $38,411,314 MAJOR WINS * 2022 and '23 Inter Dominion Trotting finals (Just Believe) * 2023 Great Southern Star (Just Believe) * 2022 Chariots Of Fire (Better Eclipse) * 2025 NSW Derby (Always Hot) * 2024 TAB Trot NZ (Just Believe) * 2024 Rowe Cup (Just Believe) * 2024 Dominion Trot (Just Believe) * 2024 Auckland Cup (Better Eclipse) * 2024 NZ National Trot (Just Believe) * 2016 Australian Gold 2YO final (The Storm Inside) * 2015 Queensland Championship (Our Hi Jinx) * 2011 NZ Northern Derby (Sushi Sushi) Originally published as Giants of the harness racing industry pay respect to Greg Sugars who tragically died on Saturday aged 40
News.com.au
27-04-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Giants of the harness racing industry pay respect to Greg Sugars who tragically died on Saturday aged 40
GREG Sugars' impact was as big off the track as it was on it. News of Sugars' sudden passing of a suspected aneurysm at just 40 years of age on Saturday sparked an overflow of emotions across the harness racing world, even reaching Scandinavia and the US. Sugars was not only one of the brightest stars in Australian harness racing, but one of its greatest ambassadors and most popular figures. He drove his first winner as a 16 year-old at Globe Derby on December 5, 2000 and went on to drive over 4000 winners, including 64 at Group 1 level. He was in Sydney campaigning three horses for he and wife, Jess Tubbs, when he passed away in his sleep. Tubbs, who forged such a formidable training team with Sugars, posted the news on their Larajay Farm social media accounts on Saturday. '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 … we are heartbroken and very much still processing everything … some time and space will be appreciated,' the post read. For all of Sugars' feature race success, his career was propelled to another level in recent years through the deeds of champion trotter Just Believe whose exploits spanned across three countries. Such was the lasting impact Sugars leaves behind, sometimes in just brief visits, drivers at race meetings throughout Sweden, NZ and Australia will wear black armbands in his memory on the day of his funeral. Australia's premier driver James Herbertson, speaking from the US where he is on a working holiday, credited Sugars for shaping his career. 'He was one of the best, as a driver, a trainer and a human being,' he said. 'When I say he was like a parent to me, I mean it. He took me under his wing and made me into the driver I am today. 'I'll really miss him and I know everyone back home is feeling numb.' Champion rival Luke McCarthy bonded with Sugars when they shared a room together for 10 days at the 2004 Australian Young Drivers' Championship in Perth. 'We just clicked and became very close,' he said. 'It's hard to get your head around this. He's one of the best drivers the game has seen and a great bloke on and off the track.' Australia's most successful driver Chris Alford spoke of how he and Sugars started as heated rivals, but Sugars' nature transformed their relationship. 'When he first moved to Victoria things were rough between us because we're both fierce competitors, but he quickly grew to earn my respect and that of everyone,' he said. 'He was a brilliant and hard competitor on the track but a great friend off it. I'm remembering all the great trips we had to NZ and elsewhere together.' Premier trainer Andy Gath said Sugars was one of most talented people he had seen in racing. 'He was as gifted as you would witness and you could always see the love he had for the horses he was associated with. The mutual respect from his fellow competitors said it all.' For all of Sugars' success, partnering with Jess Tubbs in life and business took it to another level. They were a powerhouse. 'That was on full display when they took Just Believe to Sweden in 2023. To see the respect and admiration they gained and the great way they represented their country was remarkable,' Harness Racing Australia CEO Andrew Kelly said. Harness Racing Victoria abandoned Saturday night's Melton meeting when news of Sugars' passing broke. The meeting at Menangle went on, with Fighter Command, which was to be driven by Sugars, scoring under the guidance of Gavin Fitzpatrick. 'The industry is devastated. We've lost one of the game's best, a wonderful person and great ambassador,' HRV chairman Bernard Saundry said. 'Our hearts go out to Jess and the entire Sugars family and we're here to support all those in the industry struggling with the loss.' Sugars is survived by wife Jess, father Ross, mother Kerry and sister Kylie. Details of his funeral are yet to be finalised. *************************** THE REMARKABLE CAREER OF GREG SUGARS 4028 CAREER WINS 6500 CAREER PLACINGS 64 GROUP 1 WINS PRIZEMONEY: $38,411,314 MAJOR WINS * 2022 and '23 Inter Dominion Trotting finals (Just Believe) * 2023 Great Southern Star (Just Believe) * 2022 Chariots Of Fire (Better Eclipse) * 2025 NSW Derby (Always Hot) * 2024 TAB Trot NZ (Just Believe) * 2024 Rowe Cup (Just Believe) * 2024 Dominion Trot (Just Believe) * 2024 Auckland Cup (Better Eclipse) * 2024 NZ National Trot (Just Believe) * 2016 Australian Gold 2YO final (The Storm Inside) * 2015 Queensland Championship (Our Hi Jinx) * 2011 NZ Northern Derby (Sushi Sushi)
