Paul Moroney writes - I am saddened by the passing of my uncle and childhood hero, former jockey and trainer Raymond James (Buzz) Leggett, aged 83.
It was Buzz's notable Great Northern Hurdles-Steeplechase double over the 1965 Queen's Birthday weekend on Smoke Ring (pictured) which piqued my and brother Mike's interest in horse racing.
Buzz had earlier been a leading apprentice in the late 1950s/early 60s then much sought after flat rider until forced to jumps riding through increasing weight.
Earlier he'd won the 1964 Royal Stakes on Superfine, trained by his brother-in-law Charlie Casey jnr, another uncle.
Such was his ability in the saddle, Buzz often secured mounts in major weight-for-age races against the likes of Garry Edge, Norm Holland, Grenville Hughes, Bill and Bob Skelton, Ron Taylor and on top weights in open handicaps even after he turned to jumps racing.
He forged a great association with former Great Northern Derby winner Tatua and the pair made history in 1966 at Ellerslie winning the Queen Mother's Cup in front of the visiting monarch in what I believe was the first ever live telecast of a sports event in New Zealand.
I vividly recall it as my elder sister Catherine, brother Mike and I got off school early at Walton Primary to witness the great occasion and cheered Tatua home to a nose victory over Terrific.
Another of his victories which stood out to this impressionable youngster was on the Bill Sanders-trained Rochdale in the 1965 George Adams Handicap at Ellerslie.
Late in his riding career, Buzz dominated highweight races for a number of seasons and one year, from memory, rode something like eight consecutive Saturday highweights in the Auckland and Waikato districts.
Once, at Avondale, I think on a horse called Gold Day, the win was challenged by a protest of fellow rider Fred Blackburn on a horse which had finished several lengths adrift in fourth place.
When asked to explain the basis of his protest by the chief stipendiary steward, Blackburn's retort was "Sir, I'm protesting against Leggett winning all of these highweights!"
A quite incredulous story Buzz often told was that he rode in a highweight in thick fog at Te Rapa over 2400m one day, went straight to the front and thought he was home and hosed until a horse suddenly appeared ahead of him just after the home turn ridden by Harry Green.
Buzz swore Harry had pulled his mount up at the end of the starting chute at the top of the home straight then set off to victory on hearing the hooves of the nearing field a lap later!
All told, Buzz rode 196 winners with other career highlights the 1958 Ladies Mile (Main Affair), 1961 Pearce Handicap (Gauntlet), 1961 Tauranga Cup (Saratoga), 1962 Egmont Cup (Fairenda), 1962 Goldfields Cup (Jim’s Count), 1964 Clifford Plate (Tatua), 1965 & 1966 Maramarua Hunt Cups (Form Luca and Prettypeen), 1965 & 1969 Pakuranga Hunt Cups (Form Luca and Black Butt), 1969 Trentham Stakes (Tatua) and 1971 Waikato Hurdles on Lord Chick.
Later turning his hand to training at Matamata, Buzz didn't reach the heights he'd achieved in the saddle but had a few handy sorts in All Rock, Anderan, Award, and Harleigh Blows.
Buzz quit training in the 1990s and took over a rural delivery mail run in the local district until retiring around 10 years ago.
An affable, happy-go-lucky character who touched many lives both in the racing and wider communities, Buzz will be sorely missed, especially by this nephew who was so inspired by his successes in my formative years.
Buzz is survived by his wife Veronica (my Mum's sister), children Andrea, Shane, Regan, Chris and six grandchildren.
Rest In Peace.
Buzz’s funeral will take place at 11am on Tuesday, May 26, at Church of the Holy Angels in Matamata.
