The world of the belt races was given in shock and deep sadness due to the sudden death of Champion Rinsman Greg Greg Greg.
As Markus des respect, the Victoria cadavity race gave the Melton games last night (April 26) shortly after his wife Jess Tubbs announced that he passed on her Larajay Farm facebook page.
The 40-year-old, who was known for his velvety driving style and his tactical brilliance, had earned a reputation as one of the most constant and most respected backers of Australia.
But it wasn't just his talent in the Söller, which distinguished him – it was the way he made all he met like an estimated friend.
Regardless of whether a battler of the maiden class or a superstar of group 1, sugar treated every horse, owner and trainer with the same respect, care and encouragement. He approached every opportunity with a peaceful professionalism and a slight smile that gave advice, optimism and gratitude without ever looking for the spotlight for himself. It was this humility and class that brought him a deep network of friends and admirers inside and outside of sports and all over the world.
The son of the highly decorated SA and the Victorian coach Ross Sugar and the grandson of the Sa Legend Len Sugar, the “sweets”, as he became known, was one of the accomplished and consistent drivers in the Australian cable harvest.
From his beginnings as a talented junior to one of the leading back men of the country, Sugar won many of the great Australian and Recent Zealand functions and celebrated its 4000th Australian victory at the beginning of this year and joined a very selected group of Victorian Reinsmänner.
But it was with the superstar trotter that his star rose in international status.
After Greg and Jess received the Trotting Championship of the Inter-Dominion in 2022 the following year, they planned an ambitious eliteloppet campaign (a 60-hour journey) in Sweden, which only affected the best trotters in the world against the best trotters in the world.
Although Victory escaped the Australian stars, her courageous journey moved the Australian belt community and conquered the imagination of fans abroad.
Greg's sportiness, skill and modest way deserved a widespread respect in Sweden and it was a campaign that not only his extraordinary ability as a driver, but also his deep love for sport and his willingness to take good things outside of his comfort zone to make recent challenges well.
Apart from statistics, Greg was best known in the stables and on the route for his sportiness and generosity. With a peaceful humility, he wore his horses and the team around him than on awards – and was trusted by the owners, respected by rivals and admired by fans.
The tributes went down last night and today from every corner of the Gurtracing community. Competitors, race officials and fans went on social media to express their shock and grief.
Tribute illuminates that his sportiness, his commitment and his sultry spirit were as part of his inheritance as any trophy, almost everyone who mentioned his kindness and generosity.
The countless friends and fans who admired him – from juvenile stable hands to experienced drivers and coaches – speak of a man who always had time to remember a name, tell a joke and to raise others, even as they follow the victory.
Greg leaves his parents Ross and Kerry, his sister, coach Kylie, the beloved wife Jess, his immense family, and forgets his “stable son” pups of Harvey – and a sport that was richer through his presence.
In immense and miniature stables, Greg's death left a profound emptiness. Hartnesslink and everyone who knew him will miss a coach, driver, owner and fans a man whose warmth was real, whose friendliness was instinctive and whose respect for the horses and the people around him never swayed.
His legacy is not only measured in victories and trophies, but in the countless hearts that he simply touched himself.
From Terry Gange for Hartnesslink
