John Bagshaw, a former chairman of Harness Racing Australia and one of driving forces behind global breeding giant Alabar Bloodstock, passed away at his Sydney home on Saturday aged 87. He made a fine contribution as a breeder, owner and official.

Bagshaw bred and raced standardbreds for over 40 years, initially as a relaxing hobby and later as a successful commercial venture. In the 1970’s he was the co-founder of the former Golden Gait Stud, a standardbred breeding outfit in NSW’s central west.

However, a lifelong friendship with Alabar principal Alan Galloway saw John increase his investment in the breeding industry.

“The first horse Alabar stood for John was Keystone Pat. He later came in as a shareholder with What’s Next and Embrace Me,” Alan recalled.

What’s Next was the leading Australian stakemoney sire in 1994/95 and led the two-year-old sires’ premiership on four occasions.

Bagshaw also owned a half share of Village Jasper and Armbro Operative, both dual premiership-winning stallions, and Safely Kept, who topped the two and three-year-old sire and broodmare sire tables several times, and Stoneridge Scooter.

Among the best winners John bred were the dual Oaks winner and 3YO Filly and 4YO Mare of the Year Mother Courage, the 2YO Filly of the Year Tandia’s Courage, the great Victorian trotting mare La Coocaracha, the Derby winner Mr Nickel, the Breeders Crown winner Keppel Bay and the Vicbred champions Blatant Lie and Crusader’s Castle.

Former Alabar studmaster John Coffey said: "Harness racing has lost one of its finest with the passing of John Bagshaw.  His contribution to the success of Alabar in the 1990's and early part of this century was immeasurable.

“To Alan Galloway he was a great friend, a loyal partner and an astute advisor.

“However, it was when he took over the role of chairman of Harness Racing Australia that his leadership qualities shone through. The 2011 Standardbred Breeding Panel Report, compiled under John's leadership, was a masterpiece and its findings are just as relevant today as they were 14 years ago.

“John was an outstanding breeder, a leader, a deep thinker but most of all was a true and honourable gentleman, who has left a lasting impact on all those who knew him well,” Coffey said.

Bagshaw was also a director of the NSW Harness Racing Club for several years and the inaugural chairman of the NSW Lotteries Corporation.

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