The Victorian racing industry is mourning the death of Warren Huntly, after it was confirmed on Sunday that the respected form analyst, media figure and jockey manager had succumbed to cancer at age 63.
Huntly had spent the last 20 years on radio and television coverage, mainly in Victoria on RSN and racing.com, and was much admired and respected across the broader racing industry. He also shared ownership in several horses including the Group 1 winner Pernod.
He had been battling cancer for the past two years but had only recently stepped away from his radio and TV duties. His wife Leeanne confirmed his death overnight.
Retired media executive Andrew Bensley, who worked extensively with Huntly over the past few years, paid tribute to him when speaking to RSN on Sunday.
“It has been a battle for Warren over the last two and a half years that he's dealt with it. Many of our listeners, our family of listeners through RSN would know that there's been times, particularly over the last 12 months, that Warren hasn't been on air and been dealing with treatments and things like that that prevented him from being on air,” Bensley, who recently departed RSN, said.
“But the one thing that Warren has been has been a lover of racing, a lover of doing form. He's been on the station for 20 years doing what he loved doing and that's doing the form and passing on his opinions to the family of listeners through RSN.”
“And it won't be the same and hasn't been the same for a good while that Warren hasn't been there.”
Others to pay tribute to Huntly online included Racing.com presenter Ben Asgari and Sky Sports Radio host Dave Stanley.
“A valued contributor of @SkyRacingAU & Racing HQ - always respectful, up for a laugh & never short of a tip. Thoughts from everyone at the station are with his family & friends,” Stanley said.
“Warren Huntly had a wealth of racing knowledge like few others. A gun tipster, as good a yard judge as there was but more importantly a kind and humble family man. Always generous with his time you’ll be deeply missed by all who knew you, Waz. Say Gday to Deano for us mate,” Asgari wrote.
Huntly was close friends with fellow form analyst Deane Lester, who died in 2023.
Group 1-winning jockey Daniel Moor also took to social media to acknowledge Huntly’s passing and his influence.
“Very sad to hear the passing of Warren Huntly. An absolute gentleman and family man. A rare racing media gem, that had a way of painting a picture without any ego. Respected by all in the industry. Quietly fought his battle with strength and humility,” Moor wrote.
