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Racing NSW has been informed of the passing of Mr John Kinghorn OAM from the Bathurst and Orange regions who was aged 86.

“John was a legend around here and rode the great Rising Prince (1985 Cox Plate winner) in most of his trackwork,” said Bathurst trainer Paul Theobald.

The late Mr John Kinghorn OAM

“Vince Stein trained Rising Prince then and as well as being the Clerk of the Course at Orange, John was a coach and judged show jumping and equestrian.”

Apart from his strong ties to Thoroughbred racing, Mr Kinghorn was a wonderful equestrian mentor to thousands of children and adult riders, having volunteered at country pony clubs for more than six decades.

Mr Kinghorn once said that ‘He learnt everything he knew by sitting on the tailgates of trucks listening to old blokes chat’.

John’s father, a drover from Cudal a village west of Orange, taught him that a stubborn animal can be handled through observing and listening.

“An animal can’t talk to you, but it can tell you things,” Mr Kinghorn said. “I’d often ask young riders ‘What’s this horse telling you? Nothing? Then you’re not listening!’”

In June this year, Mr Kinghorn was announced as a recipient of an Order of Australia (OAM) in the King’s Birthday Honours List for services to youth through equestrian sports.