The local horse racing community is in mourning following the death of Twanny Bugeja, the general secretary of the Malta Racing Club (MRC).

He was 60.

Bugeja was synonymous with horse racing as, for over 35 years, he was one of the sport’s leading television and radio commentators and also hosted a number of television programmes.

“The Council of the Malta Racing Club, horse owners, drivers and the entire sports community, especially those who follow horse racing, were shocked by the news of Twanny Bugeja’s passing,” Matthew Brincat, the chairman of the MRC, said in a statement.

While expressing its support for Bugeja’s family during this difficult moment, the MRC said it has lost “a gentleman who occupied the post of secretary general of the association where he continued to give his contribution despite the difficulties he was going through in the last few months”.

Dr Brincat said Bugeja had a great passion for horse racing and was also a devoted family man.

“Certainly, many horse racing enthusiasts who have known him on a personal level for a long time have fond memories of our dear Twanny,” Dr Brincat said.

“His presence will be sorely missed.”

As soon as Bugeja’s death was announced, tributes began to flow in with the Malta Sports Journalists Association describing him in a statement “as the voice of horse racing” on television and radio.

Chris Agius, the Parliamentary Secretary for Youth and Sport, conveyed his condolonces to Bugeja’s family.

Bugeja’s funeral will be held tomorrow at the St Paul’s Parish Church, Rabat, at 2.30pm.