paddock captain

Santa Anita's popular Paddock Captain, John Shear passed away Tuesday from natural causes at age 102 in a rehabilitation facility in Arcadia, according to a statement from the Shear family that was shared via a racetrack press release. Beloved by the many fans with whom he came in contact, as well as by his fellow employees, jockeys and horsemen, Shear opted to retire at age 100 in 2021. That same year he was honored by the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters with the Mr. Fitz Award for typifying the spirit...

On the day Santa Anita unveiled a plaque commemorating six decades of dedicated service to its recently retired 100-year-old Paddock Captain John Shear, it was announced that the Santana Mile S. has been renamed in his honor as the John Shear Mile S. For older horses, the $75,000 John Shear Mile will be held Sunday, Apr. 10. Employed by Santa Anita since 1961, Shear, who retired this past June, gained national recognition when on Mar. 12, 2011, he sustained life threatening injuries as he threw himself between an on-rushing loose...