Sunshine Coast Turf Club veteran Reg Huxham remembered as loyal contributor to horse racing industry

The Coast racing community is mourning the loss of a “fastidious” veteran who “lived and breathed” life on the track.

A veteran of the Coast racing community is being remembered as a “fastidious” and passionate soul who “lived and breathed” life on the track.

Reginald “Reg” Huxham, who enjoyed a fruitful 35-year career at Sunshine Coast Turf Club, died late last month after ongoing health issues.

With his father a trainer, Reg was born and raised around horses and naturally carved a life out of the industry.

He joined the staff at Corbould Park in October 1987, just two years after it opened at Caloundra, working as a race day starter and track work supervisor.

He gave up his race day starter role after 24 years but continued managing the training movements of horses right up until a few weeks before his death.

Colleague of 20 years and racecourse manager, Murray Weeding, remembered Mr Huxham fondly.

“He was here every morning at 3.30am, to the minute basically,” Weeding said.

“Every day that he worked he was always spot on time with what he did.

He said Mr Huxham would supervise track work and ensure the safety of riders and the horses.

“He was a very loyal and long serving member of our staff, that’s for sure,” Mr Weeding said.

“But it was more than that, he lived and breathed racing and had a lifetime association with racing really.”

Mr Weeding said Mr Huxham “never missed a day” despite fluctuations in his health over the past few years.

“He was loyal and fastidious about all the records he kept,” he said.

“I’ve been here 20 years and during that time he’s always been terrific.”

Mr Huxham died peacefully at Dove Cottage Caloundra on June 21, with family by his side.

He had two sons, Terry and Ty and four grandchildren.

He was one of eight children.

In honour of his contributions to the Coast racing community, the Sunshine Coast Turf Club will name a race after Reg in Tuesday’s meet.

It will be race two, called Vale Reg Huxham Class 4 Handicap (1000m).