Iain Jardine Racing’s John McPherson sadly died at the age of 54. Concerns were raised when he didn’t arrive for work on Thursday morning.
John’s passing rocked everyone at Jardine yard and the horse racing community. But two days later, Jardine’s yard paid tribute to John with four winners at Ayr, which if someone backed them would come in at 5468-1.
Mr Jardine said: “John was a good friend. He was well-known and loved across the horse racing community.
“He was always the first in the yard and would always talk to people.
“The horse racing community was his family. He was very popular wherever he worked.
“John’s strongest attribute was his kindness. But he sadly slipped away from us prematurely. It has come as a massive shock and everyone here will sadly miss him very much.
“I’m certain John was watching down on us. I can imagine him cheering on the horses from above.
“I think the four-time winner was a perfect tribute for John as he looked after the horses.”
He added: “We needed that because we lost John in the week and it has come as a massive shock to everyone.
“Obviously, John would have wanted everybody to keep going and the four winners have given the yard a boost. He was a good guy and good character who was well liked throughout the racing fraternity. He’ll be sadly missed.”
The stable also added a tribute to John.
It read: “Formerly an integral part of the Kevin Ryan Team, John very quickly found his feet at IJR at home in his native Dumfries and Galloway.
“He lived and breathed racing and his horses. As a team we’d joke at the races ‘is there anyone here John doesn’t know?’
“He’d pass no one at the racecourse without at least a ‘how’s it goin bud?’ or to congratulate another trainer on a win.
“He leaves a big hole here at IJR and to those involved in racing further afield, particularly Yorkshire. As we would say ‘a weel kent face’. RIP.”
Jardine, who saddled his first four-timer at the same meeting three years ago, hit the target with Parisiac (7- 2), Can’t Stop Now (16-1), Giselles Izzy (12-1) and Jonny Concrete (9-2), with stable jockey Andrew Mullen claiming a double on Parisiac and Jonny Concrete.
This weekend IJR has provisional entries at Wolverhampton and Thirsk on Friday; Ripon, Doncaster and Perth on Saturday; and Pontefract on Sunday.
Photograph by Grossick Racing Photography 0771 046 1723
