CONDELL Park horseman John ‘Jack’ Leonard will always be remembered as one of Sydney’s champion horsemen following his passing.
Jack trained and drove countless winners, many of them champions of their era, and sadly passed away last weekend, aged 90.
One of his best performed pacers was the mare Scotirra, as former leading harness racing writer Harry Pearce remembers.
“Scotirra was certainly one of his best horses,” Pearce recalled.
“She won many races in top class company.
Scotirra
“Some of her best wins were in the 1965 and 1966 Spring Cups at Harold Park.”
Scotirra raced by the Hando family, grew in prominence in New South Wales during the 1960’s.
Racing the best of them, Scotirra made the 1966 Inter Dominion Grand Final at Harold Park.
Driven by Jack, the pair finished seventh to Chamfer’s Star in that edition.
In more recent years, Jack had plenty of success with the pacer Royal Three.
Also bred and raced by the Hando family, Royal Three faced some of the best during his era too.
“Royal Three made it to top class company as well,” Pearce said.
“Royal Three and Scotirra were some of the best horses Jack trained.
“He trained his team of horses at Bankstown and was up amongst the great horsemen of that time and was a gifted farrier.”
To all of Jack’s family and friends, Harness Racing NSW extends its deepest condolences.
Funeral details
THE funeral for John ‘Jack’ Leonard will be held this Friday September 16.
It will take place at St Luke’s Church, 1 Beaconsfield Road Revesby, at 11am.
Also known as Herb, the well respected Condell Park horseman also trained many winners interstate and in the 1959/60 season was one of the leading metropolitan drivers in Victoria
He had many wins with a horse by the name of Dual Peak during that season.
Other quality horses Jack raced aside from Scotirra and Royal Three included Lucky Western, Silver Attack, Lucky Michelle and Revlis Peak.
AMANDA RANDO
HRNSW Media release