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'Shocking loss': Aussie horse racing rocked by devastating tragedy

australian associated press
Brian Cox, pictured here during his time as a trainer.
Brian Cox has died. Image: Racing Woodonga

Former leading country trainer Brian Cox has died after a concrete truck he was driving rolled in north-east Victoria.

Wodonga-based Cox was serving a disqualification from training and had turned to truck driving during his ban ahead of being eligible to reapply for his trainers' licence in May next year.

Affectionately known as the King of Wodonga, Cox followed his father Ollie into training and won his local Cup 11 times, the latest in 2014 with Minnie Downs.

Cox was a regular visitor to Melbourne with one his biggest achievements sharing top honours with John Hawkes as the leading trainer during the 2002 Melbourne Cup carnival.

He was particularly strong in the north-east region of Victoria and the southern districts of NSW while also winning races in South Australia, Queensland and Darwin.

Tributes flow for Cox

Australian Trainers' Association chief executive Andrew Nicholl extended his sympathies to Cox's family.

"Ollie was one of the founding life members of the Australian Trainers' Association and his son went into the racing game and he carried on the legacy in his own way," Nicholl said.

"It's a shocking loss."

Tributes have been pouring in from around the racing community.