Crash victim top horseman
The driver killed in a crash near Cambridge was a ‘‘colourful character’’ and cherished family member, who lived for horses.
Well-known Waikato-based horseman Glynn Brick died on Sunday following a single-vehicle crash on Maungatautari Rd.
Originally from Riversdale near Dipton, Brick trained horses in Waikato for the past 20 years.
He was the fifth of six siblings and came from a long racing family – his father, grandfather and great grandfather all trained horses, sisters Deborah Haywood, Meagan Meade and Karen Beeby told Stuff.
‘‘He was a very talented horseperson and you can see from the threads on social media that he loved to share that knowledge, and teach young riders coming through,’’ Meade said.
‘‘He even tried very hard to get those who didn’t like horses or want to ride to get them on horse back . . . it didn’t work though,’’ Beeby chuckled.
Brick was one of the last amateur riders in the Duke of Gloucester cup in Gore in the late 1980s before it stopped running there.
Over his career, he trained hundreds of horses. He especially loved horses that raced over hurdles.
His biggest success was in training horse Iffitel, who won at the Waikato hurdles in May 2019.
Haywood said Brick was a well-loved brother and son, and adored by his nephews and nieces.
‘‘He was a colourful character, he’d push the kids off their bikes just to beat them in a bike race, and then when they cried, tried to throw money on the ground to buy their affection back.’’
The family were doing the best they could to commemorate Brick after the heartbreaking news of his death.
‘‘We’re very supportive of each other so we have each other’s back, and we’re doing the best we can to honour our brother,’’ Haywood said.
They wanted to thank the staff at Jakama lodge, where Brick’s work was based.
‘‘That’s what he lived for, his horses,’’ Haywood said.
Kevin Hopson owned the Brick-trained horse Iffitel.
One of Brick’s great talents was breaking in other people’s horses, he said.
‘‘You could say he was perfect at his job, he’s broken in horses for me and always done such a good job, he’s a brilliant at it.
‘‘He just knows what to do, he doesn’t push the horse too far.’’
Hopson said he and Brick had great times with Iffitel and were hoping to go to the Waikato hurdles this year and win again.
‘‘We were good mates who got on well together, we watched each other’s back . . . it’s not an easy game this racing game.
‘‘He’d come round to our place to have a beer and a feed and I’d do the same with him.’’
A funeral service will be held for Brick at Cambridge Raceway on Taylor St at 1pm today.
There will also be a Memorial Service in Gore at the Senior Citizens Rooms on Ardwick St at 1.30 pm on Monday.