Warren Huntly dies after battle with illness

The Victorian racing community is mourning the loss of much-loved form analyst and broadcaster Warren Huntly, whose passing has been acknowledged by Racing Victoria and the Victorian Racing Media Association after a battle with illness.

Huntly’s involvement in the sport stretched over a quarter of a century, sparked in the mid-1990s when he took a share in a horse named Splinter with syndicator Harry Lawton. That first step drew him to Flemington, where he began timing morning trackwork under Des Spain for leading trainers including Leon Corstens, John Sadler and Lee Freedman.

So committed was Huntly to racing that he left a corporate position at Cadbury Schweppes to work within the industry, initially managing the rides of Group 1-winning jockey Steven Arnold. He later credited his close friend, the late Deane Lester, for opening the door to a media career at RSN, where he progressed from producer to on-air form commentator across nearly two decades.

There was a memorable symmetry to Huntly’s early mounting yard work: his first day providing live commentary for Racenet came at Moonee Valley in 2010, the day Steven Arnold partnered So You Think to win the Cox Plate. Huntly went on to become one of the inaugural form analysts on Racing.com when the network launched on free-to-air Channel 78 in 2015, remaining a mainstay on screen until illness intervened. Among his many achievements, he famously tipped the card at Kilmore on 9 March 2022, selecting all eight winners while hosting for Racing.com.

Beyond television and radio, Huntly served as VRMA president from 2019 to 2022 through the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, and he received the prestigious Bert Wolfe Media Award in 2022. He also left his mark as an incisive interviewer on RSN’s Saturday morning ‘First Word’ and Sunday’s ‘Correct Weight’, and was a popular voice on the station’s longstanding ‘Melbourne Form Panel’.

As an owner, Huntly enjoyed elite success with Pernod, winner of the 2002 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (then Dubai Racing Club Cup) at Caulfield for trainer Mike Moroney.

“Our sincere condolences go out to Warren’s family, friends and colleagues on behalf of everyone at Racing Victoria and the wider Victorian racing industry,” said Aaron Morrison, RV’s Chief Executive Officer.

“Warren was highly respected for his contribution to our industry across numerous roles including as a trackwork clocker, jockey manager, form analyst and presenter. Above all else he was an absolute gentleman.

“He was a popular member of the RSN team and was instrumental to the success of Racing.com while building his reputation as one of the industry’s most trusted form analysts.

“Warren’s passing will be felt by many, from the participants who worked alongside him to his colleagues in the media and those who regularly tuned in to listen to his work. Our thoughts are with them all at this sad time.”

“Every member of the VRMA is deeply saddened by the news of Warren Huntly’s passing,” said Matt Hill, VRMA President.

“He was a passionate, professional and loving man with a deep knowledge and experience in horse racing.

“Above all he showed equal respect to everybody he came across. We have lost a true gentleman of the press room today.”