'Lonners' leaves a legacy

FORMER racing journalist David Lonergan, a dear friend and colleague of Mercury staff and the Tasmanian racing industry, passed away on Monday aged 67

Private Nip

FORMER racing journalist David Lonergan, a dear friend and colleague of former and current Mercury staff and the Tasmanian racing industry, passed away on Monday. He was 67.

David, or "Lonners" as he was affectionately known, joined the Mercury as a full-time racing writer in 1984, and was a contributor for many years before that when employed in the Commonwealth Public Service. He retired from the Mercury in 2009 after 25 years of service.

Racing was more than a passion for David. He lived it.

His connection to the industry went well beyond his devotion to his job.

David also raced many fine gallopers -- such as Shady Sailor, Bamfylde, Private Ensign and Tasmanian Thousand Guineas winner Private Nip -- and a few pacers and had shares in some leading stallions and broodmares.

He was a shrewd punter -- he always knew when to back his beloved Sydney Swans with workmates -- and always had a few notes in his wallet to hand out to a friend in need of a loan.

He wasn't so much a victim of racing as a champion of its cause. His eyes always lit up when he talked about the great horses he'd seen, or the colourful characters he'd met along the way.

He had a rare understanding and respect for the talents of the greats -- Bart Cummings of course, and jockey Geoff Lane. David was thrilled when Lane was inducted into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame this year.

David's closest friend, former racecaller Milton Pettit, rang Lane to inform him of David's passing.

"Geoff was very sad to hear the news; they had been in close contact for many years," Pettit said.

David had his favourites on the local scene as well -- jockeys Ted Cox and Max Baker, and trainers such as Charlie Goggin, Ian Hay, Tom Young and Terry Roles.

David was a driving force in the establishment of the Tasmanian Racing Hall of Fame.

He considered it his duty to painstakingly research and record the history of racing in Tasmania and invested untold hours producing a number of publications.

David was a firm friend of thoroughbred breeding guru and author, the late Bert Wicks.

His research skills played a major role in the production of many of Wicks' publications including the internationally acclaimed An Introduction to Thoroughbred Breeding.

These many works and the thousands of articles he wrote for this newspaper and interstate magazines represented only a fraction of his amazing depth of knowledge. Unfortunately the "walking encyclopedia" will no longer be available to call upon for any racing-related query we might have.

But his legacy will continue, as will our memories of David's cheeky nature and whimsical sense of humour, and his generous spirit.

David was the eldest son of the late James and Eva Lonergan. The death of his mum in 2011 took more of a toll on David than his long battle with illness.

He is survived by his brother Ron and sister Marlene.

Marlene said David was always a gentle soul, and a "bit of a comic" even as a child.

"He was always a stirrer and very brainy," she said. "He was very well liked."