It was a sad end to the week for the Goulburn Valley and surrounding areas, with two well-known harness participants, Greg Caldwell and Ian McIntosh, passing.
Kyabram’s Greg Caldwell, known by all in the district, passed away suddenly on Saturday.
Greg loved his harness racing and had competed for years with limited success, as did a number of his family, and he will be a big loss to the area.
A member of a highly successful real estate business in Kyabram, he was one of the most experienced team members who knew the ropes. He came from a family of real estate agents and was the third generation in the Caldwell clan to share his skills and passion with the community. In fact, Greg’s son is also a qualified agent, making four generations of specialists in one family – a rare and impressive family résumé.
He gave himself generously to the local footy club over the years, loved a yarn, passionately supported the Western Bulldogs, trained horses for harness racing as a hobby, and enjoyed a quiet spot on the river to drop a line in.
Throughout Caldwell’s career, he trained over 60 winners and drove over 40 winners.
Ian McIntosh, an uncle of HRV broadcaster Lachlan and noted galloping broadcaster Ric, was brother to their dad Alan.
Ian enjoyed success a number of years back, possibly in the seventies, with a smart horse by the name of Sunset Panorama, who was driven by Graeme Lang to many victories. Ian later switched codes and was appointed starter by the VRC, but still kept an interest in our sport, although he didn’t attend many meetings in recent years. His son Scott is a registered galloping trainer.
Harness Racing Victoria Chair Bernard Saundry, on behalf of the industry, extends his sincere condolences to both families.
