With Michael Manley
One of the Melbourne Cup’s most recognisable figures John “Patto” Patterson has passed away in Melbourne at the age of 86.
Flemington’s legendary clerk of the course led in 44 Melbourne Cup winners since his first with Rain Lover in 1969 with the Victoria Racing Club later honouring his long service by naming an avenue at Flemington racecourse after him.
Such was his impact on thoroughbred racing, he was awarded the Order Of Australia medal in 2021.
After Fiorente’s 2012 Melbourne Cup success, Patterson passed the clerk of the course reins at Flemington to his sons Shane and Peter.
Shane’s daughter, Ellen, and son, Matty, are also both avid riders and dream of one day taking over the role of leading the Melbourne Cup winner back to scale.
Patterson told the VRC after his retirement that one of the key’s to his success was that he treated each horse individually.
“I was still learning towards the end of my career,” he said.
“Every horse is different. Each horse has its own personality. They’re no different to humans in that regard.”
Superstar jockey Craig Williams led the tributes to Patto on Wednesday.
“After every Melbourne Cup you rode he was the first person you wanted to see after the race,” Williams said.
“He’s synonymous with the race. He was iconic. He’d go out with his red coat and white horse and he brings in the winner of Australia’s most famous race which is now targeted worldwide.
“Every single day when he was working his job was to get the horses and riders to the barriers safely and then back after the race. It was like having our own bodyguard.
“Rightly he gets the accolades for being an amazing horseman and he was a person who shared his knowledge and experience and not everyone does. I was one of the benefactors of him wanting to share his vast knowledge.
“He was a man of few words but when he spoke you listened as his words carried weight. That’s what we loved about him and that’s why Patto was Patto.”
Former star apprentice turned trainer Nick Ryan said: “If you spoke to most of the jockeys which went through the apprentice school, they would have benefited from Patto’s knowledge and experience.
“He taught me to ride when I was 14 in the sand roll. My grandfather and my father trained at Flemington. He’s been a legend of the racing game for as long as I can remember.
“He led me in plenty of times and so did his sons Shane and Peter. I’m good mates with both of them. It’s an end of an era. He will never be forgotten. He was a very good horseman. He’s a man of few words; he was as tough as they come.”
Champion Damien Oliver, who was the last jockey Patto returned to the mounting yard after his Cup win on Fiorente, said Patt was ‘a legend of Victorian racing’.
“When you came back to scale you were always glad to see him because you’ve ridden a winner,” he said.
“He’s an iconic figure in our sport. He was there well before me and he played such a big part in looking after jockeys. He got us to the start safely and you could call on him when you needed help.”
Racing Victoria’s CEO 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.”
VRC Chairman Neil Wilson said: “John Patterson was a stalwart of the Flemington community and someone who will be dearly missed.
“We share our thoughts and condolences with the entire Patterson family, including Peter and Shane who have followed in their father’s footsteps as Clerks of the Course.
“The role of Clerk of the Course is as important as any on a racetrack and John’s image is entrenched in the history books alongside the 44 Cup winners he accompanied back to scale, with his ability to keep horse and rider calm and safe always on display.
“We were fortunate to celebrate the renaming of Patterson Avenue in John’s company last year, and he leaves an enduring legacy through the Patterson family and all those whose career he helped shape.”