Just Believe and Greg Sugars
GREG Sugars' impact was as big off the track as it was on.
News of Sugars’ sudden passing at just 40 years of age yesterday 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 Farms social media yesterday (Saturday).
“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 across three countries.
Such was the lasting impact Sugars made, sometimes in just brief visits, drivers in race meetings throughout Sweden, NZ and Australian will wear black armbands in his memory on the day of his funeral.
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.”
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.
“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.
Harness Racing Victoria abandoned last night’s Melton meeting when news of Sugars’ passing broke.
“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.
