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The Thoroughbred Racing Industry is mourning the passing of former top jockey Mr John Duggan.

“John Duggan was one of the great jockeys of his time and a natural horseman with immense ability,” said Racing NSW’s Chief Executive, Peter V’landys AM.

“He was an extremely talented rider winning many feature races including the Golden Slipper and Melbourne Cup.

“John will be missed by the industry and we would like to pass on our sincere condolences to his family and friends.”

John Duggan after winning the 1972 Sydney Cup aboard Dark Suit

As a young rider John Duggan was indentured to the late Theo Green who also moulded the careers of top-class jockeys such as Darren Beadman, Ron Quinton, Maurice Logue and Malcolm Johnston.

Duggan won a host of top tier races during his time in the saddle including his first Group One victory in the 1976 Golden Slipper on Vivarchi along with the 1977 Melbourne Cup aboard Gold and Black. Both were trained by the legendary Bart Cummings AM.

Duggan took out the Sydney Apprentice titles in 1969-70 and 1971-72 and during his apprenticeship won the Villiers Stakes twice at Randwick on Silver Points (1970) and Torumba (1972).

Among his other Group One wins was the Queen Elizabeth Stakes on Apollo Eleven (1973) and Ming Dynasty (1978), and the Tancred Stakes on Apollo Eleven (1973).

Duggan also scored a double in the Doncaster Handicap on Just Ideal (1977) and Lawman (1981) and claimed the 1972 Sydney Cup on Dark Suit.

At one stage John was the stable jockey for Bart Cummings and successfully rode for many other trainers including Jack Denham, Tommy Smith, Guy Walter and Brian Mayfield-Smith.