The industry will farewell a friend and beloved brother this Friday when a service will be held to honour Doug Webster.
The trots owner, stablehand and brother to prominent trainer Geoff Webster passed last week, inspiring an emotional salute from driver Emmett Brosnan when he won only hours later on Geoff’s horse Courageous Affair.
“That was pretty special,” Geoff said. “It’s been pretty tough, but (Doug’s) had a good life.”
Geoff said his brother had been born with a disability and had been cared for by his parents and then Geoff.
“They didn’t think he’d get past 30 or 40, but we had a good 50th and then a good 60th birthday,” Geoff said. “It has been a tough road for him, but he is just one of those people who makes a lot of friends along the way.”
Geoff said Doug had a great connection with horses, both helping in hands-on roles as well as a prolific owner.
“He’s had a lot of nice horses and has always been really interested in horses, they’ve been his life,” he said.
“He often helped Mark Webster and me train in Adelaide, and then when I came over here he helped me in Victoria.
“Probably his best one was Scruffy Murphy, who he had in partnership with Greg Lutze. And he had a win the other week with Rift Valley, who was another one he had with Greg Lutze. There have been a lot of other horses along the way, especially with Dom Martello.”
A service for Doug Webster will be held at St Mary’s Basilica, 136 Yarra St, Geelong, from 11am on Friday, April 6.
HRV extends its sincere condolences to Mr Webster’s family and friends.
Media enquiries:
Michael Howard (HRV Media/Communications Co-Ordinator)
t: 03 8378 0286 | e: mhoward@hrv.org.au | tw: @MichaelRHoward
