The Taranaki racing community is mourning the loss of one of its greatest servants, Ivan Murray Hobbs, who passed away earlier this week aged 93.

Hobbs had a lifelong involvement in racing in the region, holding many roles at the Taranaki Racing Club, including committee member, vice chairman to Brian Mason, steward, honorary bar manager, assistant judge, and racing syndicate member. He was bestowed life membership to the club, reflecting his decades of service.

Hobbs’ son Carey, who led The Taranaki Racing Club for several decades, said racing was his father’s biggest passion in life.

“Racing was an enormous part of Dad’s life,” he said. “In earlier years he helped out many a trainer in Taranaki, the pinnacle for him was strapping and travelling leading two-year-old and three-year-old filly Summer Haze for Stratford trainer Dick Bothwell.

“He owned quite a few horses with moderate success but loved attending racedays to meet and mingle with old friends. He loved the horse, a drink and a punt. In later years, Trackside was rarely off in their house.”

Taranaki Racing chairman Vaughan Watson said Hobbs will be sorely missed amongst the local racing community.

“Ivan was an esteemed life member of our club. This was bestowed on him after decades of service on the committee rising to vice chairman,” Watson said.

“He was well known and respected by all who visited New Plymouth Raceway.”   

A private cremation will be held on Saturday morning followed by a celebration of Ivan’s life at the Rough Habit Lounge on Sunday afternoon, May 12, between 1pm and 3pm.