Few men combined the two forms of horsepower as successfully as Garry Rogers.
A legend and Hall Of Famer in the world of motor racing, Rogers was also a significant player in harness racing for more than three decades as a breeder, owner and sponsor.
Tributes from across both sports have flowed after Rogers passed away at the age of 80 last Thursday.
Rogers’ foray into harness racing commenced when he established a breeding and training complex at Longwarry on the fringe of south east Melbourne under the racing banner of Ulverstone.
A horse called The Main Report served to whet Rogers’ appetite for harness racing when it won its first 10 starts during the early 1990s.
Rogers’ financial commitment to the industry was highlighted when one year he purchased 12 yearlings at the Sales.
Among Rogers’ better performed horses was Folsom Blues (22 wins) who finished runner up behind Persistency in the 2003 Tasmanian Pacing Championship.
Ronerail was the winner of 26 races including the Inter Dominion Trotters Consolation and the Vicbred Super Sires (4YO) Sires Final.
The Rogers owned Frame Game won 23 races including the 2006 Hobart Pacing Cup Final.
Among his other multiple winners were Gold Rainbow, Pine Spirit, Wise Woman and Mirra Mirra.
Prominent horsemen Geoff Walker and Michael Hughes were Rogers’ private trainers operating out of the Longwarry farm.
Under the banner of his company Garry Rogers Nissan, Rogers was a prolific sponsor of harness racing events including the Vin Knight Medal.
Hughes said Rogers’ legacy is the way he nurtured many young men making their way in sport.
“I know Garry assisted several of the leading drivers in motor sport launch their careers and he was a big help to me when I was starting out in harness racing,” Hughes said.
“His great passions in sport were harness racing and motor racing and his passing will leave a big hole in both,” he said.
Harness Racing Victoria Chair Bernard Saundry, on behalf of the industry, extends his sincere condolences to the Rogers family.
