Image – Bradley Photos.
The racing industry is mourning the death of Kandos-based trainer Greg Hook.
The 63-year-old tragically passed away on Tuesday following a trackwork accident on his property.
Known fondly as ‘Hooky’, he trained his first winner in 1991 when What A Rogue won at Muswellbrook, and over the years, he enjoyed success with Subway Surfer, Magic Dream and Grand Valiente.
Most recently, Hook won five races with Blue Collar Boy, which landed wins at Orange in February and March of this year.
In comments made to Racing NSW, NSW Trainers Association’s Richard Callander passed on his deepest sympathies to the Hook family.
“On behalf of our Association we are deeply sad to hear of Greg’s passing,” Callander said.,
“Greg was the essence of country racing and he was a very talented horseman who loved being part of the racing industry.
“Greg was highly respected by his fellow trainers, and he always had a smile and was up for a chat, albeit not a long one.
“All our love and thoughts are with Greg’s wife Robin, his family and friends.”
The Hook family name is synonymous with racing, with Hook’s late father, also named Greg, training 1968 Bathurst Cup winner Greg’s King, which was piloted by celebrated Cowra hoop Reg Paine.
They combined again to win the next year’s edition, while Greg’s King also won the 1966 Golden Horseshoe at Coonamble.
Hook trained at Wellington for some time but for several years had prepared his small team at the old Rylstone track along with Bob Howe and Ross Lomax.
He trained his horses while also employed for 30 years at the Kandos Cement Works, which closed in 2010.
A qualified fitter-welder, Greg was multi-skilled with various other tickets including crane driver, while he often worked in the mining industry.
Sky Racing caller Col Hodges, who was saddened to hear of Hook’s passing, described him as a ‘good trainer and nice bloke’ that ‘epitomised the small-time country trainer, being the farrier, trackwork rider and strapper on race day for his horses’.
Rest in peace ‘Hooky’.
