I was deeply saddened to learn of Bruce Cox’s passing last Friday evening at age 84. Bruce had been in full time care at a Killara nursing home for the past fifteen months, but was moved to the Royal North Shore Hospital early in August when his condition deteriorated. Bruce’s troubles began more than a decade ago when he suffered a heavy fall at home. Initially the 74 year old thought he’d escaped serious injury but scans showed otherwise. A section of his spinal cord had been wedged between two vertebra and immediate surgery was required. Post operative signs were encouraging, but sadly Bruce was to suffer ongoing mobility problems compounded by the onset of other health issues. For a previously hyperactive Bruce Cox the decline was frustrating. Watching that decline unfold was the worst kind of nightmare for his family.
There were several reasons for the sadness I was feeling as I walked off Rosehill Racecourse after calling my final Sydney race on August 1st 1998. One of those reasons was the realisation that a twenty six year working relationship with Bruce Cox had come to an end - more than a quarter of a century in which we’d never exchanged a harsh word. Bruce was my race day assistant. He painstakingly recorded the details of every race and answered phone calls from stewards, race club staff or the television and radio stations we were servicing on the day. He’d attend protest hearings or general stewards inquiries before hurrying back to the broadcast box with any relevant information. On occasions he’d stop at a tote window to place a modest bet on his fancy in the upcoming race. Coxy loved a longshot, and he could find one better than most. He’d stand beside me to watch the race and his body language always gave him away if one of his “roughies” poked its head in front.
The trademark Coxy grin was evident when this one was taken in the Rosehill broadcast box 1990s.
Bruce’s final years were dominated by walking frames and wheelchairs. In happier times he’d been a strapping six footer with energy to burn. Jan, his devoted wife of sixty one years remembers the heady days when she and her new beau were regulars in ballroom dancing competitions around the inner Sydney area. Even if he said so himself Bruce Arthur Cox and his favourite partner were usually at short odds, and regularly emerged as victors at the highest level of competition. The affable Coxy enjoyed a game of tennis and got better and better on the golf course as the years passed. His laid back nature transferred to his game. He didn’t try to “belt the socks off ‘em’” but his shots usually finished where he’d planned, and he had the sweetest swing.
In the workforce he tried many things and mastered most of them. When I first met him in the 1970’s he was a sales rep for Penfolds Wines. In the early 80's he and partner Sam Virgona purchased a cosy little restaurant called Camelot on the corner of George St and Martin Place in the city. Bruce introduced a seafood and jazz theme and changed the venue's name to Backstage. He put countless hours into the new venture and filled several roles himself.
He enjoyed his few years as Racing and Promotions Manager for the NSW Harness Racing Club. He was based in the Harold Park office when Peter V’Landys was appointed CEO with John Dumesny as his assistant. Bruce got the most out of his time with these two gun administrators. He spent many early mornings in that era at the St Ives Showground assisting trainer Jim Goodhand with his small team of harness horses. Bruce even found himself a mount in a couple of media races at charity gymkhanas.
Nobody was surprised in the early 90’s when he took on the role of stable foreman for the late Bill Evans who was training a team of twenty horses at Rosehill. It was an early start for Bruce six mornings a week, but he enjoyed the experience and made many friends at Rosehill trackwork. Perhaps his most satisfying working years were those he spent as the utility man for his son Peter who was already an established chef with two decades of experience under his belt. Cox the younger came up with the novel idea of making mashed potato in vast quantities as a service to restaurants and supermarkets. The venture worked well and led him to his next project - the production and packaging of “ready meals” for supermarkets and nursing homes. Peter’s business did well for more than a decade. His Dad was there every step of the way.
Bruce’s many and varied working commitments over the years never interfered with his long time “second job” as Sky Racing and Channel 9 raceday assistant. I could count on one hand the Saturdays or public holidays he missed. Our social encounters weren’t as frequent as work days at the races, but they were always good fun. At Sydney race meetings he was known to the car park attendants and the turnstile operators. Most jockeys and trainers were on first name terms with the affable Coxy as were the stewards, race club staff, a handful of bookies and many tote window operators. His cheery nature was unwavering. If he didn’t know somebody’s name male or female, he’d call them “Pal”. Sometimes I heard people call him “Pal”.
Bruce was my ever reliable race day assistant for 26 years.
One day in the broadcast box I unconsciously called him “Labrador” for no other reason than to highlight his unflappable nature. He reminded me of a big lovable Labrador dog, a breed noted for its fidelity and preference for human rather than canine company. The nickname caught on. It wasn’t long before others were addressing him by the same pseudonym.
All those who had the good fortune to have known Bruce will join with me in extending heartfelt sympathy to his devoted wife Jan, to son Peter, to daughter Inga and to his five grandchildren Jack and Sam, twins Oscar and Frankie, and to Billy, the baby of the family who’s three years and a few months.
Bruce would slightly change his hairstyle from time to time, and every so often he’d wear a prominent moustache for a month or two. But the one thing that never changed was his unique temperament. Mood swings were not on his agenda. Not last week, last month or last year. There were times I wished he’d raise his voice at someone, throw something on the floor or slam a door. If he had problems in his other life it never showed. He refused to bring his troubles to work. He was a unique character our Brucey Cox.
I’m grateful he was around in my time. Rest in peace Pal.
At Randwick with Coxy and Ian Craig on the occasion of Bruce's 75th birthday.
(Banner image - Bruce (front) hosted a farewell dinner in 1980 to mark the retirement of legendary Newcastle caller Billy Hill (centre in brown jacket). The venue was the Backstage Restaurant in George Street, Sydney.)