Ruby rallies for Judd tribute
Rapid Ruby (Image: Racing Photos)
Story by James Tzaferis
15 September, 2022
Nick Judd got the send off he would've loved on Thursday, with equal parts cheers and tears.
Judd lost his battle with cancer last week and mourners gathered at the Wangaratta Turf Club to remember the passionate breeder, owner and former WTC committee member.
Coincidentally, one of his favourite horses, the Donna Scott-trained Rapid Ruby, was running at Narandera, with the race broadcast in front of friends and family at the wake.
The four-year-old appeared in trouble halfway up the straight but, as if by some divine intervention, found a gap and finished powerfully to score by a nose in a photo finish.
The emotional scenes were shared on Twitter by the Wangaratta Turf Club.
Judd's nephew, Darcy Judd, manages Rapid Ruby via his Express Racing syndication company and it was one of the sweetest wins his family has been involved in.
"I've never been at a funeral when everyone was cheering like that," Darcy Judd said.
"Emotions were up and down, there were cheers when she won and then tears straight after, but it really made the day quite special.
"He would've loved that as well, to see people happy and cheering his horse on.
"He might've given her a little nudge to get her through that gap and get her over the line."
Judd said his uncle had been a big supporter of Express Racing since its inception, purchasing shares in multiple horses.
He said the remaining owners of Rapid Ruby had vowed to continue to race the mare in his uncle's honour.
"Nick has always bred and owned horses with my old man and they've had a bit of success with a couple," he said.
"When I started Express Racing, he was all for it and he pushed me to pursue it.
"He bought into a couple of horses straight away and kept supporting me.
'He loved Rapid Ruby, he went to watch her all the time and she was probably one of his favourite horses.
"Even when he was struggling to walk, he was at the races watching her.
"You would've struggled to find a more passionate racing man than him."