In memory of the late, great Gavin Lang

I don’t have many friends. That’s not intended to garner sympathy; relatively unsociable types who aren’t familiar with the interior of their local pub, or any pub for that matter, often find themselves that way. Gavin Lang, I suspect, had lots of friends. The simple fact that he and I were friends indicates he had a special knack.

I started working for the industry audio visual provider in the late 90s. Female camera operators were a rarity back then, and I sidled around, big eyed and nervous, eyeing the brash and colourful superstars of the harness racing circuit.

Not that I knew who they were. My background was thoroughbred racing; my heroes Cummings and Oliver. Family dynasties came by the name of Payne.

One driver made my life just a little easier in those early days. As I watched the drivers come out of the tunnel at Moonee Valley there was one who would acknowledge that I was there and had been before – a quiet nod, a polite smile gave me a small place in a foreign situation.

Camera operators are artists. Cinematographers spend years training, honing their craft. It can take days to capture a few seconds of footage. At the races the rules are clear. Keep all the horses in shot, and stay in focus. Beyond that, be in place for the next race. Forty minute gaps gave me time to watch the horses and learn as much as I could. I watched the races as I filmed, keeping myself sharp by trying to pick the winners. The same driver kept winning, time and again. The friendly bloke. It struck me that he sat quietly, the winners coming quickly without much effort. Of course I knew better. My father, an old school horseman often told me that horsemanship trumped the whip every time – Melbourne Cup maestro Harry White his prime example.

Gavin and I developed an odd friendship, as time went on. I never met his family, never saw him away from the track. I didn’t see any of those legendary karaoke sessions at the Mildura Cup carnival, although it seemed at odds with the quiet man I knew.

That was the good thing about Gavin Lang though – that was the ‘knack’. He didn’t mind what you did – whatever you made you happy, it was fine with him. He sat quietly and listened, rarely passing any judgement. If I wanted to chat endlessly about the family thoroughbreds he was happy to listen. I assume it was the same for karaoke. If people wanted to sing raucously he was pleased to join in.

I learned to watch, quietly, myself. I was fascinated by the number of people who poured their hearts out to the ‘The Iceman’ as the horses paraded before a race – a difficult horse, rebellious child, family illness, you name it. The response was always the same. Listening quietly, Gavin would offer a few quiet words, rarely failing to leave that person comforted.

Sometimes, while in the stewards room for technical purposes, I’d hear inexperienced stewards gush that Gavin Lang ‘wasn’t a bad bloke, he was very polite earlier’, and smile to myself, knowing that sometimes stewards were racing fans too. In between races, I remember sitting in a row near the parade ring with Chris Alford, John Caldow, and Gavin, idly waiting for the next. A small time trainer with one or two horses in the stable approached and abruptly launched into a series of detailed instructions for ‘Group 1 Gav,’ engaged to drive later in the day. From how to drive the horse in the warm up onwards, nothing was spared. Agreeing to everything, Gavin nodded and smiled. When the trainer had left, mission accomplished, we sat quietly. Eventually Alford asked ‘You got that Gav?’ and was answered with a nod. After a pause Caldow asked ‘Will you do whatever you want anyway?’ The only answer being that quiet smile, which gave nothing away. It remains one of my fondest memories, sitting in the sun with some racing legends, enjoying a laugh. Being included.

Which is why it’s so difficult to see two of those men struggle to find the words to pay tribute to their friend they saw every day at the races. The man they competed against, chatted to, laughed with. Like me, they thought he was indestructible. Anyone having a bad day had a safe spot in the Lang stall to have a chat while a legend of harness racing geared up for the next race. If you didn’t want to chat, that was OK too.

Those safe spaces are in short supply at the moment, and though I haven’t been to the races in a little while, this one will be impossible to replace.

Harness racing great Gavin Lang has died, with the sport mourning the loss of a much-loved genius and gentleman.

Gavin’s fight with a rare type of lymphoma has ended at age 61, an outcome that will sadden the many family, friends and admirers that have felt his kindness and witnessed his brilliance.

His passing draws to a close a career that brought delight to many among 6303 victories, second only in the sport to Chris Alford.

Renowned for his peerless driving instincts, Gavin won owners almost $50 million in stakes across more than 32,000 starts and earned the moniker Group 1 Gav for his ability to perform on the grand stage.

Fuelling that reputation were victories in the 2007 Victoria Cup with Robin Hood, two Inter Dominion Trotting Championships and an extraordinary list of Breeders Crown, Chariots Of Fire, Australian Pacing Gold, Vicbred Super Series and New South Wales Derby triumphs.

It is a record with few peers, but Gavin’s influence stretched far beyond the winners’ circle. Harness racing was a sport he was born to dominate.

The son of fellow Caduceus Club Legend Graeme Lang, in a recent interview Gavin said he had never imagined doing anything than compete in the trots.

He would rise early in the morning before catching the bus to school and clean the boxes. When he got home it was off to the shed to “see what father had for me to do, whether it was cleaning gear or organising feed”.

He would often take days off school to go to the races to help dad, attending the showgrounds every Saturday night to “care for the horses”.

And it wouldn’t be long before he had rein in hand.

Raised among ponies and horses, from age eight he would drive with his brother Chris, saying “I was always comfortable with it, it was always fun back then. Some days it was a bit more of a chore, but I enjoyed it immensely”.

At Kilmore on June 2, 1975, Lang registered his first win as a trots driver on Pensive Dream, and some 32 years later he would drive his 6000th victory when steering Tell Me Tales to Vicbred success in another showcase win.

His was a life spent in the sulky, a skillset so fine-tuned that decisions were made with instinct and without hesitation.

“It becomes second nature to you, making moves is a reflex action,” he said. “You seldom think about it, it just comes to you. It is hard to explain why that happens. You do everything on instinct. If you have to stop and think whether to make a move, by the time you are done thinking it’s generally too late.”

He was motivated not only by success, but by those he could bring along for the ride, including the trainers and owners, many of whom he would deliver their first Group 1.

“I know only too well the time and effort people put into getting their horses to that stage. It’s pretty special when you win a race for people like that.

“Harness racing is an industry, but it is also a lifestyle. There is a lot of sacrifice, but in any industry if you strive to be the best you can be you have to be prepared to do the hard yards. I never envisaged doing anything else.”

Harness Racing Victoria extends its condolences to Gavin Lang’s family, friends and many fans.

Myself, along with our children Danielle, Brayden, Courtney, Baylie, Montana and Ruby, our grandchildren Jaxon and Arlie, Gavin’s parents Graeme and Dot and our extended families are all just so extremely humbled and thankful for all of the continuous calls, messages, cards, gifts, flowers and beautiful well wishes which we have continued to received over the past 7 months.

The Support and love from so many people within the industry and beyond has been just so emotional and overwhelming. We could never thank everyone enough for the outpour of generosity and it was this love that kept Gav fighting on hard each day.

Not once during this battle did Gav complained, never did I hear him say “poor me” or “it’s not fair.”

He remained positive, determined, in good spirits and the warrior within him kept him pushing on throughout the entire crazy emotional roller coaster.

We were a great team together, I could not possibly be any prouder of him and I am honoured to have been holding his hand and facing this battle right beside him all the way.

He fought so hard right until the very end. He was courageous, strong, dignified and proud, and was so loved and respected by all of the amazing nurses and medical team who cared for him on Ward 4 Grey at Epworth Richmond.

This was his final race, and it was one he could not win , but now it has ended and he is at peace .

Taken from us all way too soon,

My heart is breaking,

He was my everything

Love you more.

Meagan Lang

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.