Gavin Brown, former General Manager of the Pietermaritzburg Turf Club, passed away on Monday morning. He was 81.
Brown was GM in the PMB Turf Club’s heyday until the merger into Gold Circle. Along with his former boss Sandy Christie, Gavin was at the forefront and the industry leaders in many innovative ways to promote the sport.
Andrew Harrison writes that the PMB Turf Club hosted the first Bull Brand Jockeys International and Gavin had was at the helm when the National Government refused to grant the Japanese jockey a visa, but he was able to defuse the situation at the last minute.
They were also responsible for the first sponsored race, The Gilbeys Stakes, now the Golden Horse Sprint.
Gavin Brown with long-time assistant John Wingfield at an early 1980’s pre Invitation Stakes banquet
Brown and Christie introduced the Jackpot and Place Accumulator. The first jackpot resulted in a four-meeting carryover and a huge pool which kick-started the bet.
Gavin, along with David Furness, GM of the Durban Turf Club and Basil Thomas, GM of the Clairwood Turf Club, were key players in the merger of the three turf clubs into Gold Circle.
Bill Lambert, whose father Frank was responsible for employing Gavin in the first instance, said that Gavin was a workaholic. He was passionate about his job and horse racing and devoted his life to the sport.
The directors and staff of Gold Circle, and indeed the entire racing industry, send condolences to his three daughters, Lyndsay, Fiona and Nina. By request there will be no memorial service.
