The Victorian racing industry and participants across Australia are mourning the passing of Deane Lester who over a career spanning more than three decades became one of the country’s most popular racing form analysts.
Lester passed away peacefully at Melbourne’s Alfred Hospital on Thursday after a short battle with an aggressive form of cancer that was diagnosed only weeks earlier.
Primarily on radio with 3UZ, now RSN 927, Lester became the ‘go to’ for his thoughts and selections for the day ahead particularly on Saturday mornings, and was a staple for punters and other experts alike.
Close friend and trainer Robbie Griffiths said on RSN on Friday morning, “He could have been good at anything, that’s his nature. Anything he turned his hand at he was good at.”
Lester part-owned The Quarterback – winner of the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) in 2016 – with Griffiths as trainer.
Born with spina bifida but still was a highly competitive golfer and squash player, the opportunity to become the Cranbourne ‘clocker’ came in 1989 and from then media opportunities followed.
Aged 54 on his passing, Deane Lester is survived by his partner Leanne and mother Sandra.