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.

The late, great Greg Sugars with champion trotter Just Believe. Picture: HRNZ

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 thetrots.com.au.

Sugars, 40, died in his sleep on April 25 at the height of his powers.

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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 ⁦@Solvalla⁩
Greg’s Memorial Service from Noon tomorrow at Melton track. Also live streamed https://t.co/qKUjn1fjoq ⁦@TheTrotsComAu⁩
Video: ⁦@ryanphelan_tv⁩ pic.twitter.com/96oHVO7AhR

— 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.

• Adam Hamilton is a paid contributor writing on harness racing for News Corp.