Reg Nolan, former Murray Bridge Racing Club chairman, mourned

One of the Murraylands horse racing industry's best-known identities has died.

Reg Nolan, right, pictured at the 2020 Gold Cup with John Leahy, has died. Photo: Peri Strathearn.

Horse racing figures are mourning the loss of one of the local industry’s leading lights.

Racing SA announced the death of former Murray Bridge Racing Club chairman Reg Nolan last week.

Mr Nolan had retired in 2020 after championing the club’s move from the city’s old racecourse to new, multi-million-dollar facilities at Gifford Hill.

Current chairman John Leahy said Mr Nolan’s legacy would live on for generations to come.

“His leadership during our ambitious move to Gifford Hill was instrumental to the club achieving its goal,” Mr Leahy said.

“The quote ‘success is walking from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm’ was never truer for Reg, particularly during the many challenging years it took and (despite) the hurdles the club faced.

“His determination, desire, stoicism and – on occasions – sheer pig-headiness as he worked tirelessly at the coal face was infectious to us all, and gave the committee the confidence and resolve during difficult times to push on to eventually realise what was and is a meritorious outcome.”

Mr Nolan is survived by his wife Sue and daughters Kate and Lauren.

A memorial service will be held at the racing club at 1.30pm this Friday, June 23.

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