Giants of the harness racing industry pay respect to Greg Sugars who tragically died on Saturday aged 40

Some of harness racing’s biggest names speak out in the aftermath of the shock passing of leading industry figure Greg Sugars.

All smiles: Greg Sugars with Jess Tubbs

GREG Sugars’ impact was as big off the track as it was on it.

News of Sugars’ sudden passing 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.

Doing what he did best: Greg Sugars guides Better Eclipse to victory in an Inter Dominion pacing heat Picture: Stuart McCormick

“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.

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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.”

A fresh faced Greg Sugars as he launched what was to be a hugely successful career in the sport

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.

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“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.

Greg Sugars with wife Jess Tubbs

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.

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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