Former NSW chief handicapper Mark Webbey has died suddenly aged 58.

Webbey began his career in the racing department of the Sydney Turf Club before joining the Australian Jockey Club.

He was appointed as a handicapper for the AJC in 1987 and joined the NSW Thoroughbred Racing board as senior handicapper in 1997.

In 2005, Webbey moved to Singapore to take up the position of senior handicapper and remained for three years.

He returned to Australia where he worked as racing manager for Gai Waterhouse and Patinack Farm before being recruited by New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing to conduct a review of handicapping across the Tasman.

Webbey also served as a board member of the Australian Pattern Committee and the ANZ Classification Panel.