Celebrating the life and legacy of Greg Sugars

The harness racing world has been left in shock and deep sadness by the sudden passing of champion reinsman Greg Sugars.

As a mark of respect, Harness Racing Victoria abandoned last night’s (April 26) Melton fixture shortly after his wife Jess Tubbs announced his passing on their Larajay Farm Facebook page: “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. He had excitedly driven our team to NSW yesterday, with none of us possibly predicting this was in our future”.

Known for his smooth driving style and tactical brilliance, the 40-year-old had carved out a reputation as one of the most consistent and respected reinsmen in Australia.

But it wasn’t just his talent in the sulky that set him apart — it was the way he made everyone he encountered feel like a valued friend.

Whether driving a maiden-class battler or a Group 1 superstar, Sugars treated every horse, owner, and trainer with the same respect, care, and encouragement. He approached every opportunity with a quiet professionalism and an easy smile, offering advice, optimism and gratitude without ever seeking the spotlight for himself. It was this humility and class that earned him a deep network of friends and admirers both inside and outside the sport and around the world.

The son of highly decorated SA and Victorian trainer Ross Sugars, and the grandson of SA legend Len Sugars, the “Candyman” as he became known, was one of the most accomplished and consistent drivers in Australian harness racing.

From his beginnings as a gifted junior to one of the country’s leading reinsman, Sugars won many of the major Australian and New Zealand features and earlier this year celebrated his 4000th Australian win, joining a very select group of Victorian reinsmen.

But it was with the superstar trotter Just Believe that his star rose to international status.

After sweeping the Inter Dominion Trotting Championship in 2022, the following year, Greg and Jess plotted an ambitious Elitloppet campaign in Sweden (a 60-hour journey) which pitted Just Believe against the best trotters in the world.

Although victory eluded the Aussie stars, their bold journey galvanised the Australian harness racing community and captured the imagination of fans abroad.

Greg’s sportsmanship, skill and humble manner earned widespread respect in Sweden and it was a campaign that underscored not just his exceptional ability as a driver, but his deep love of the sport, and his willingness to step well outside his comfort zone to take on new challenges.

Statistics aside, Greg was best known in the stables and on the track for his sportsmanship and generosity. He carried himself with quiet humility – always more focused on his horses and the team around him than on accolades – and was trusted by owners, respected by rivals and admired by fans.

Tributes poured in from every corner of the harness racing community last night and today. Fellow competitors, racing officials and fans took to social media to express their shock and grief.

Tributes highlight that his sportsmanship, dedication, and warm spirit were as much a part of his legacy as any trophy, almost every one mentioning his kindness and generosity.

The countless friends and fans who admired him – from young stablehands to veteran drivers and trainers – speak of a man who always had time to remember a name, share a joke, and lift up others even while chasing victory.

Greg leaves behind his parents Ross and Kerry, his sister, trainer Kylie, beloved wife, Jess, his extended family, and not forgetting his “stable son” puppy Harvey – and a sport made richer by his presence.

Across stables large and small, Greg’s passing has left a profound emptiness. Harnesslink and all who knew him, trainers, drivers, owners and fans, will miss a man whose warmth was genuine, whose kindness was instinctive, and whose respect for the horses and the people around him never wavered.

His legacy will not only be measured in wins and trophies but in the countless hearts he touched simply by being himself.

From Terry Gange for Harnesslink