In memory of Greg Sugars

I am truly heartbroken hearing the terribly shocking and sad news of Greg's passing.Greg was a wonderful person who always found time for a chat even if he didn't really have the time. His ability on track was incredible and he was always high on the list when Tom was looking for a driver for our horses.

Greg drove many winners for us from Group One's to maidens and his professionalism and love for the horse will always be appreciated.

We will miss that fabulous smile.

Sincere condolences to Jess and all of Greg's family and friends.

Life can be so unfair.

I am truly heartbroken hearing the terribly shocking and sad news of Greg's passing.Greg was a wonderful person who always found time for a chat even if he didn't really have the time. His ability on track was incredible and he was always high on the list when Tom was looking for a driver for our horses.

Greg drove many winners for us from Group One's to maidens and his professionalism and love for the horse will always be appreciated.

We will miss that fabulous smile.

Sincere condolences to Jess and all of Greg's family and friends.

Life can be so unfair.

Greg was a legend and a damn good bloke. He treated everyone the same regardless of if you were new to harness racing or had been in the sport for years.

He always drove his horse for the win, whether the horse was a low rating long shot or a group 1 shoe in. We were lucky enough to have Greg drive our horses on many occasions, with him driving our very first winner back in May 2021 at Geelong, an unexpected win which Greg's expertise facilitated.

Greg always had a smile and a kind word for everyone. He will be sadly missed at future track meets and by so very many involved in harness racing.

We send Jess, Ross, Kerry and Kylie our deepest sympathy. A true legend taken way to soon.

My condolences to the entire Lang family on the passing of Gavin.

I am 49 years old and have followed harness racing for 31 years and in that time I have watched plenty of good drivers, but G Lang stood head and shoulders above the rest.

He was composed, magnificently balanced, could sum up the tempo of a race better than anyone and if you had the best horse in a group race he's the bloke you wanted on. He was simply a magician in a sulky.

I currently have a couple of horses with super trainer Ross Oliverei in WA and I'm good mates with stable driver Chris Voak, and we have both regularly spoken to each other about the greatness of Gavin Lang.

If ever a driver was to drive a poor race I always make reference to the fact that Lang would not have done that.

Voaky too told me that Gavin had a real dry sense of humour. He said he was a young driver who was representing WA in a driving series in Vic and it was real cold according to Voaky. He looked at Gavin and said it's freezing Gav, to which Gavin replied "it is winter you know Chris". Very few words but straight to the point.

That being said, Voaky said he got one back on Gavin when Gav was in WA for the ID and Gavin made the mistake of saying how hot it was, to which Voaky replied "it is summer you know Gav".

He is without question in my opinion to harness racing what Michael Jordan was to basketball and what Don Bradman was to cricket. So many fellow drivers say how good he was and that's the best endorsement anyone can have.

RIP G Lang.

After decades admiring G A Lang from a distance and a couple of years of trying to get him to drive a horse for us, we finally convinced him to get on board.

First thing he said was, "Why aren't you driving?". The reply was simple, "I'm sick of running second and third, we need a change!"

Of course it didn't take long for the winning to start.

Blake, our first born son, was only two years old at the time and he referred to Gav as 'Mate' and that stuck.

Week after week we would venture to Melton with our trusty steed Yerrington Bob, Blake would spot Gav over the other side of the stables and start yelling out "Mate, Mate".

Maybe the smile on Gav's face was from embarrassment, but he would always look over and give him a thumbs up.

Over the last few years Gav entrusted us with numerous of his own horses either to race, pre-train, rehab or just freshen up, which to us was a massive thrill and privilege. But the most amazing thing he did was let us into his and Meagan's life as friends.

This was something that we never expected but are eternally grateful for. Our lives are so much better for him being in them.

He will be forever missed but never forgotten thanks to the pictures on the wall.

Rest in Peace 'Mate'

My condolences to Gavin's family at this sad time.

Gav and I went to school together when the family lived in Romsey and also played football together in the under age competition for Romsey Football Club.

We were pretty good mates back then, but when the family moved to Melton we would usually only see one another at the trots when I would attend to watch a horse I would have racing.

Gavin never failed to stop and have a chat with me if he saw me at the trots and always called me Tamba (my nickname when he knew me in Romsey) and was always interested in what I may have racing and would even offer some much appreciated advice at times.

My mother would usually accompany me to the trots most times and she was addressed as Mrs Walters by Gav on all occasions.

He was a gentleman and a good mate and will be so missed by all his friends, family and the trotting community.

R.I.P my old mate, it was an honour to have known you.

I was greatly saddened to hear of the passing of Gavin.

Gavin was always the first person to drive my young horses when they were having their first start.

He drove with intelligence, experience and patience so that the horse left the track with a positive experience, which is so important with the young horses.

Gavin was also the greatest driver when your horse was right to win and, although his presence seemed to shorten the odds, at least you could always be confident that your horse would get the best run.

In the barn Gavin was always professional and gave accurate feedback to the owner.

Before the race I would always see him studying the field and clearly establishing how the race would be run and, to me, this is how he became known as Group One Gavin.

I hope when we can all get back to the races that we will have a dedicated night in honour of Gavin, where we can all attend and pay our respects to an immortal champion of the sport.

On behalf oft the Abrahams family I would like to extend our sincere condolences to Meagan and all members of the Lang family on the sad passing of Gavin Lang.

Through my late cousin Kevin and his wife Patsy our family has had a long association with the Lang family.

I have been an avid harness racing fan for almost 60 years. During that period I watched Gavin establish himself as one of the best, if not the best, driver in Australia.

Besides his amazing tactical skill he was always cool under pressure and only used the whip sparingly. With Gavin driving you always knew you had a horse for the following week.

Over recent times I was fortunate to have Gavin driving horses in which I had an interest, including Mr Wickham and Sicario.

Gavin was always a gentleman, a great ambassador for harness racing and a mentor to many other drivers.

His premature illness and passing has been a tragedy for himself, his family and the whole of the industry.

He will be very sadly missed.

Gavin, when I heard you had lost your final race - like most others I had hoped you could win your biggest battle - I was shattered.

I looked to the sky and whispered 'rest in peace Superstar'.

I felt you were up there somewhere looking down on all your loved ones, friends, colleagues and the harness community who loved and looked up to you.

It was at this moment an idea hit me: GAVIN DESERVES HIS OWN STAR!

I couldn't think of a more fitting tribute to the 'Greatest of All Time' than a star for those that you left behind to share, a space to search for you to just say 'hi' or a 'we miss you'.

Or in my case imagining I've given you another reason to shake your head (the best times), a place to gather in our current status, to say our goodbyes to Our Mate Gav.

Gavin, your talent, kindness, antics and friendships will be spoken about for decades to come, so on behalf of myself and HRV's media team, your star named GROUP 1 GAV can be found at:

Constellation: Scorpius, right ascension: 16h51m51.76s, declination: -26°52'25.8".

I'll be sure to say g'day as soon as I find it.

Sincere condolences to everyone who had the privilege of spending a moment in time with you.