Tributes to harness racing legend Graeme Lang flowed today as news filtered that the brilliant horseman had passed.
Graeme, who died at age 87 and only three weeks after his famed son Gavin, is considered a Victorian harness racing immortal, having been both a Gordon Rothacker Medallist and a member of the Caduceus Club's Hall of Fame.
Pictured: Graeme Lang with late son Gavin after his last training win, the E B Cochran Trotters Cup at Ballarat. Picture: Stuart McCormick.
On RSN 927's edition of Gait Speed this morning, Dan Mielicki and Rob Auber joined Gareth Hall and spoke of the enormous influence 'Daddy' Lang had on the sport.
"It's such a huge loss to the harness racing industry," Mielicki said. "This last month has left a huge indentation. Graeme was a sage, he knew more about harness racing than I think the rest of us put together would know. He took pride in helping other people, he will be sadly missed."
Rob Auber said Graeme was a "mentor for so many people".
"He taught so much to so many people about horse care, animal welfare, how to get the best out of the horses. He was always about education, he was always about relaxing the horse and waiting for the horse to be ready to start racing at their optimal level. He was terrific at setting horses up for feature races. He's connected to so many great horses over so many years. He will be remembered as a legend of our sport."
CLICK BELOW FOR THE FULL EDITION OF GAIT SPEED:
Elsewere, Adam Hamilton delivered a tribute to Graeme Lang on Sky Racing:
Harness racing is in mourning after losing another legend in Graeme Lang, just weeks after the passing of his son, champion driver Gavin. @AdamTABSports pays tribute and speaks about his legacy. pic.twitter.com/pmwCuQEZL5
— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 18, 2020
And was among many in the harness racing community who took to Twitter to honour the late great horseman.
Another giant of the harness racing industry has left us. Graeme Lang, affectionately known as Daddy Lang, passed in Melbourne this morning aged 87. A funny, laconic man and genius trainer he is off to see his beloved son Gavin, who died a few weeks ago. RIP Daddy
— Michael Guerin (@GuerinSports) May 18, 2020
Another huge loss for the industry. Graeme Lang was a master horseman and started a family dynasty. Tribute coming up on @SkyRacingAU at 11.55am. https://t.co/vNcB809d15
— Adam Hamilton (@AdamTABSports) May 18, 2020
The recent loss of Australia’s champion reinsman Gavin Lang and now his father, Graeme, is just too much. Prayers and love to matriarch Dot and to the Lang families. R.I.P. Graeme.
— Peter Berry (@peterberry57) May 18, 2020
How incredibly sad - G.A was an absolute gentleman whom our family had the pleasure of getting to know on our trips to Melbourne over the years. I learnt more over morning tea with him and his beautiful wife Dot than you could learn in most years.
— Brittany Graham (@BrittanyTGraham) May 18, 2020
Thoughts with the Lang family https://t.co/sGNl5l5cfU
Harness Racing Victoria shared its condolences with Graeme Lang's many friends, family and fans in its vale at thetrots.com.au.
Click here to read the tribute
In his vale at the National Trotguide, Paul Courts has shared Graeme Lang's life in the trots, including the pony races down Warracknabeal's main street that begin it all.
Click here to read his tribute
In his tribute at harnesslink, Terry Gange shares that "Graeme Lang was the complete horseman".