It is with great sadness that Racing Victoria (RV) and the Victorian Jockeys Association (VJA) acknowledges yesterday’s passing of legendary former clerk of the course, John ‘Patto’ Patterson OAM.
Patterson, 86, was best known for his long-standing association with Flemington Racecourse and particularly the Lexus Melbourne Cup, having officiated at the iconic race for more than 50 years and led home 44 Cup winners during his long and storied career.
After moving to Melbourne from Coleraine in 1951, Patterson began his career as an apprentice jockey and then a horse breaker before starting his stint as a clerk of the course at Flemington in the early 1960s.
Patterson became the chief clerk of the course in 1966, and three years later he led Rain Lover back to the mounting yard after the horse had completed back-to-back Melbourne Cup wins.
With the exception of Gold and Black in 1977, when he was recovering from knee surgery, Patterson subsequently accompanied every Cup winner until his retirement from the role after leading Fiorente back to scale in 2013.
His connection with the sport goes well beyond the Melbourne Cup, however, having been an integral figure within the racing industry and the wider equestrian community.
Patterson was a highly respected and sought-after horse breaker for all disciplines, he also educated a raft of apprentice jockeys at the apprentice school and taught local school kids about horses.
In addition, he was a participant and judge at the Melbourne Royal Show, was an accomplished re-trainer, and was commissioned to design a range of horse bits.
Patterson was recognised for his contributions to racing when awarded the Order of Australia Medal in the 2021 Queen’s Birthday Honours List.
The Patterson name continues to be intrinsically linked to Victorian racing to this day with his two sons, Shane and Peter Patterson, following in their father’s footsteps as clerks of the course with RV.
His daughter, Sheralee Patterson, is an accomplished horsewoman too, most recently overseeing the retraining and post racing equestrian career of multiple Group 1 winner and three-time Melbourne Cup runner, Hartnell.
The family’s iconic link to Australia’s greatest race is best demonstrated by the fact that every Melbourne Cup winner since 1969, bar one, has been greeted upon its return by a Patterson.
In 2023, 10 years on from John Patterson’s final duties as a clerk of the course, the Victoria Racing Club (VRC) formally recognised the family’s connection with Flemington by naming the horse walk from the winning post to the arch Patterson Avenue.
RV’s Chief Executive, Aaron Morrison, said: “On behalf of the entire industry, I would like to extend our heartfelt condolences to Glenys, Shane, Peter, Sheralee and the Patterson family on the passing of an icon of Victorian racing.
“Patto, as he was known to all, dedicated his life to Victorian racing and our sport is greater for his remarkable contribution. He was a highly respected horseman whose talents were sought by many in racing and the broader equestrian world.
“A mainstay of Australia’s most iconic race, the Melbourne Cup, Patto’s steady hands led many champions of the sport back to the mounting yard and his legacy lives on across our biggest racedays through the work of his sons Shane and Peter.
“Patto will be deeply missed, but never forgotten by his family and everyone in racing who met him and benefited from his incredible skills.”
VJA Chief Executive, Matt Hyland, said, “On behalf of all riders, past and present, the VJA extends our sincere condolences to Glenys, Shane, Peter, Sheralee and the Patterson family on the loss of an amazing horseman.
“The clerks of the course play an important role in protecting the safety of riders and horses on raceday and there has been no one bigger in the role than Patto.
“Patto was highly respected by generations of riders who had the privilege of learning from him or relying upon his talents on raceday. His memory will live on.”