Tom Hogan – or ‘Tara’ as he was known to all and sundry – sadly passed on Wednesday night aged 74. 

Hogan was a giant in the world he loved, harness racing, where he was a truly towering figure in every respect, and across more than five decades did it all; most of it better than any other.  

Many will remember him as a mountainous, wildly successful bookmaker and a fearless, prodigiously gifted punter. 

However, his extraordinary deeds, enterprises and achievements extend far beyond the betting ring and the form guide. 

In no particular order, Hogan was also an owner, breeder, celebrity, mastermind and mentor.  

Like most of those rare men who look and feel larger than life, Hogan was also complex, even paradoxical by nature. 

Single minded and loathe to suffer fools, ‘Tara’ was also big-hearted and disarmingly kind.  

Ruthlessly blunt and openly adversarial, particularly in his younger days, Hogan was equally encouraging and supportive of those in whom he saw talent, dedication and potential.  

In recent years Hogan was an amazingly positive and influential voice on social media but, at his best, when you really wound him up, the great man was also a rebel raconteur with stories and spiels, tales and anecdotes that would make most nervous simply hearing them.  

Hogan knew more than most about riding the rollercoaster of life, particularly in his early bookmaking years when there were myriad ups and multitudinous downs, but on the punt, in life and particularly in love, ‘Tara’ always ended in front. 

Without success in love, gifted to him in unconditional ways by his sweetheart of 40 years, Sue Murray, those other successes may never have materialised. 

Hogan never lacked self-belief or a tacit awareness about his leviathan talents, but it’s a lot easier to keep that self-confidence when the woman you adore also sees it in you and stoically weathers tempests standing by your side. 

Just as Murray nourished Hogan with all the love and encouragement he needed, he also shared his kindness, wisdom and guidance to many others across harness racing. 

‘Tara’ religiously found himself drawn to youth, exuberance and talent when choosing who should benefit from his acumen, shrewdness and savvy.  

Many will recall the sometimes tempestuous but ultimately glorious friendship between Hogan and fellow late legend Gavin Lang, but there’ve been more. 

In the punting world Hogan mentored Craig Nott and many others directly while supporting other aspiring bagmen and investors indirectly through social media and broadcast appearances.  

In the racing world Lang wasn’t the only man to benefit from Hogan’s instructions, intellect and insight. 

Nathan Jack is another long-term Hogan acolyte and, in more recent years, even younger reinsmen like Jimmy Herbertson have benefitted from his talents and tutelage.  

These relationships and mentorships may represent Hogan’s greatest legacy to harness racing. 

Sure, he was the GOAT punter and had them on a string through his halcyon days, but races finish and money can be little more than decorative bark.  

Human connections always meant most and ‘Tara’ made them with almost everyone that loved the trots like he did.  

When news filtered through of his passing, it didn’t make sense. It still doesn’t.  

Despite his declining health in recent years, men as great as Hogan somehow seemed immortal.  

Sadly, even the greatest, among us will complete their earthly voyage. 

Our responsibility is to remember their greatness and, if possible, take a leaf from their book.  

RIP ‘Tara’. You were, are and always will be a harness racing hero.