John Spearing, the second-longest serving trainer in the nation and a successful Welsh Grand National trainer, went away at the age of 82. Andrew Thornton paid tribute to the late trainer after riding Simon to victories in the 2007 Sky Bet Chase and Racing Post Chase.
The horse Spearing trained most famously was Run And Skip, who finished fourth in the 1986 Cheltenham Gold Cup after jumping the second-last with Dawn Run. Run And Skip won the 1985 Welsh Grand National.
Significant Flat wins including Quick Lad, Croeso Croeso, and Pintle were also trained by Spearing. Kinnersley, who was made famous by Fred Rimell, and the horses Spearing trained were both connected to Spearing’s wife.
Thornton talked to Spearing about his relationship, especially his successful partnership with Simon. Spearing was praised by Thornton for being a skilled trainer who prepared horses for both short and long distances.
Spearing continues to ride in his 70s despite suffering severe injuries in an accident five years earlier. Thornton was grateful for their recent catch-up and praised Spearing as a superb dual-purpose trainer who assisted him in recording his 1,000th victory.
Thornton commended Spearing’s abilities to train horses regardless of the race’s distance as he fondly recalled their productive cooperation.