The Racing Post, ITV Sport and Doncaster Racecourse have led the tributes to Howard Wright, who’s died, aged 79.
Wright, who started his journalism career in 1964, was still writing weeks before his death.
Born in Doncaster in 1945, his love for racing began at the local course. He attended his first St Leger in 1948 and returned every year, for the rest of his life.
The thoughts of everyone at Doncaster Racecourse are with the family, friends and colleagues of Howard Wright.
— Doncaster Racecourse (@DoncasterRaces) August 16, 2024
Howard was a great friend to racing and Doncaster Racecourse in particular. He will be sorely missed on St Leger Day this year, a day he had not missed since 1948. pic.twitter.com/4nyfv1yliN
Starting out in the civil service in London, he saw a job ad for Timeform and returned to Yorkshire, as a horse racing clerk at the company in the 60s.
He later moved to the Sheffield Morning Telegraph where he was its Racing Editor – he remained there for more than a decade, eventually becoming Deputy Sports Editor.
He then joined the Daily Telegraph to become Deputy Racing Editor, before he was approached by the team behind the soon-to-be-launched, Racing Post.
He was offered a 2 year contract as news editor, working with the paper’s founding editor Graham Rock.
He remained there until he retired from full-time journalism in 2012.
One of the most respected journalists in horse racing, Howard Wright, passed away on Friday at the age of 79.
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) August 17, 2024
Our thoughts are with his family and friends.#ITVRacing | #TheOpeningShow pic.twitter.com/ZwKQsQZ7br
His roles included becoming Industry Editor and as a result being the definitive voice on horse racing finance, gambling and politics.
“Howard Wright was a legend of the Racing Post and a true journalist’s journalist,” said Racing Post Editor Tom Kerr.
“He was one of the paper’s founding staff, possessor of the finest contacts book in the sport and could invariably be spied at racing events around the globe, no doubt having just secured his next scoop. Although he ‘retired’ in 2012, he was still providing Post readers with the benefits of his immense experience and knowledge as recently as April.
“Howard enjoyed the widespread respect and fondness of both his press colleagues and those he reported upon. That was born of his impeccably informed work, his deep integrity and his laconic charm.
“On behalf of all at the Racing Post past and present, I extend our condolences and sympathy to Anne, his wife, and Andrea and Karen, his daughters.”
The RCA team is deeply saddened to hear of the death of Howard Wright.
— The RCA (@TheRCA) August 16, 2024
Our condolences go to Howard's wife Anne, his daughters Andrea and Karen, and his many press room friends. pic.twitter.com/Z8XvENsCVz
Everyone at the ROA and Owner Breeder is saddened by the news that Owner Breeder columnist Howard Wright has died aged 79.
— Racehorse Owners Association (@RacehorseOwners) August 16, 2024
A master of his craft, one of the founding team at the Racing Post, he was renowned throughout the industry for his superb journalism and knowledge. pic.twitter.com/4GDjwEm0c5
[Photo credit – Doncaster Racecourse]
