Page 2 - John Shear News Today

John Shear, who spent 67 years working at Santa Anita racetrack including stints as an exercise rider, assistant trainer, parking lot attendant and paddock captain has died. His family says he died Tuesday of natural causes at a rehab facility in Arcadia, California. He was 102. He retired from the track at age 100 in 2021. He was working in the paddock in 2011 when he was run over by a horse while saving a child. Shear shielded a 5-year-old girl from potentially serious injury when a horse bolt...

“We were honored to have him as part of the Santa Anita family for more than 60 years of dedicated service and we’ll never forget him.”

“He’s always been a good horse, he just kinda got a little bit stiff and sore, so we gave him a break and he’s paid us back,” said Mandella.

Breeders’ Cup Festival Week kicks off Nov. 1, and there are celebrations every day leading up to thoroughbred horse racing’s championship event on Nov. 5-6.

John Shear was 90 when he saved a young girl from being trampled by a runaway horse. A commemorative plaque has been unveiled, and a race is being renamed in his honor.

Sponsored by: Santa Anita paddock captain John Shear The news came in a twitter post this past Monday. John Shear, Santa Anitas 100-year-old Paddock Captain, made it official as he announced his retirement from The Great Race Place following more than 60 years of great memories and dedicated service. “Its official, I have retired from work,” Shear wrote. “For 60 years, I worked all the Southern California racetracks, met many incredible people and saw the best horses. It has bee...

Although his preferred venue is off the agenda for the time being, Santa Anita’s beloved Paddock Captain John Shear will nonetheless celebrate his 100th birthday with family this Sunday (Jan. 17). Furloughed since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March, Shear, who has been employed by the track since 1961, would dearly love to return to his beloved Santa Anita. Santa Anita will name a race in honour of Shear’s 100th birthday on Sunday, and although they’ll be unable to attend, Shear ...

Beloved Santa Anita Paddock Captain Shear Looking Forward To Celebrating 100th Birthday But Misses The Horses Sponsored by: Santa Anita paddock captain John Shear Although his preferred venue is off the agenda for the time being, Santa Anitas beloved Paddock Captain John Shear will nonetheless celebrate his 100 th birthday with family this Sunday, Jan. 17.  Furloughed since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March, Shear, who has been employed by the track since 1961, would dearl...