Former Maryborough Harness Racing Club Secretary/Manager, Les Chapman, well known to many industry participants, passed away suddenly on Friday, August 29.
Les had been involved in the sport for a long period of time, assisting at the great Maryborough trainer Jack Moore’s stables. He even had a drive for him on a few occasions, winning a juvenile race aboard 1969 (Adelaide) Inter Dominion Champion Richmond Lass at a Horsham meeting in 1967.
It was a vintage era at that time with the likes of John Dewhirst and Brian (Foxy) Morse also present.
Much-travelled, he for a short time assisted at Sam Chircop’s Rockbank stable while also delivering bread to shops and supermarkets when based in Melbourne.
Another position he held was working for possibly the ES&A or ANZ Bank in the eighties, being transferred throughout the state to places such as Hamilton and Maffra before returning to Maryborough.
He also bought a successful deli in the eastern suburbs before again returning to Maryborough.
Les dabbled with horses for most of his life and, together with Joanne Franklin, prepared the trotting winner La Coocaracha, driving her when she first graced the race track before she progressed to a brilliant career in the care of Andy Gath.
Taking up a position with the Maryborough Harness Racing Club in 2000, which continued through to his retirement in 2023, Les did a fantastic job promoting the all-trotting Redwood Day, which is now one of the major provincial race meetings in Victoria and possibly Australia.
Les was honoured for his commitment to the sport by HRV when named the Gordon Rothacker Medallist in 2009, giving him the thrill of a lifetime.
Although retired, Les could never keep away from the Carisbrook track and would be at the trials each Saturday and Sunday they were held to document the fields.
Harness Racing Victoria Chair Bernard Saundry, on behalf of the industry, extends his sincere condolences to Chapman’s partner Fran and his family and friends.
Funeral details are yet to be released.
