Original source: The Daily Advertiser
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Robbie Jack has been remembered as a humble inspiration to generations.
Jack passed away on Tuesday after a long battle with illness at age 81.
A multiple Southwest and Riverina premiership winning trainer and driver, Jack was a stalwart of harness racing in the region.
Based at Uranquinty, he won numerous features races at Harold Park and Moonee Valley including the NSW Oaks, Bathurst Gold Tiara and Sires Stakes races.
Triple Raider and Liret were among his best horses to start his career with Yeronga Songbird one of his best performers in the latter stages of his training career.
Yeronga Songbird won 17 of her 22 starts for Jack, unplaced on just one occasion with wins in the NSW Oaks, Bathurst Gold Tiara and a third placing in the Victoria Derby among her career highlights.
Son David, a group one winning trainer-driver in his own right, paid tribute to the man that started generations of Jacks in the harness racing industry.
"He has a pretty humble man dad and pretty well known throughout the district and well respected," he said.
"In his own little way he started off his own dynasty with his sons who are in the industry and his grandsons are all successful in the industry.
"He's seen three generations moving forward in the industry."
David and his brother Russell both have successful careers in harness racing with Robbie getting great pride out of watching grandsons Daniel, Nathan, Royce and Cameron all flourish in the sport.
"He lived for the sport, always knew what everyone was doing and how they were going and always offering words of encouragement," David said.
A former president and life member of the Wagga Harness Racing Club Jack, along with the late Brian Walker and Allan Harpley were honoured by the club in 2011 with the "Local Legends Pace" named after the trio and showed footage of their career highlights on the night.
Jack is survived by his wife Fay, seven children, 19 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
His funeral will be held on Thursday at at St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Wagga at 11am.