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By CAITLIN CROWLEY
A FORMER jockey and a retired racehorse have reunited long after their first victory together, forming a powerful bond while helping each other recover from injuries and build new careers after racing.
Geoff Goold first met Johnny, better known as “Credit Only”, back in April 2013 when the Queensland trainers he was working for as an apprentice jockey, Shane and Adam Barling, bought the bay gelding from Victorian trainer Peter Moody.
Goold, who is now the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission’s (QRIC) Deputy Chief Steward of Thoroughbreds, rode Johnny to his maiden victory at Eagle Farm in September that year.
“I rode Johnny the second day he turned up and he never put a foot wrong – he was always nice and quiet and didn’t play up,” Goold said.
While the Barlings saw racing potential, Goold said he and his partner Emma Herriot felt Johnny might also be suited to life as Emma’s dressage and show hacking partner.
Johnny started in 64 races, recorded three wins and had numerous placings before retiring from racing in 2016 with a minor injury.
He was rehomed at the time, but a chance event would bring him back into Goeff Goold’s life two years later, when Goold found himself recovering from a serious riding injury that ended his career as a jockey.
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“Shane Barling was driving past Johnny’s place and spotted him, so he went and enquired about the horse and it turned out his owner was trying to rehome him,” Goold said.
“When I picked him up to be our horse, I knew I wouldn’t be able to race ride again, so it was nice to have someone familiar who I spent a lot of time with when we were both racing.
“I could still enjoy the company of a racehorse, and it was a good time to have him while I was in recuperation after my career-ending injury.
“I was at a point when I was able to get around a bit more so having him gave me something to do while I was figuring out what I was going to do next.”
Goold said Johnny’s presence was therapeutic during the 10 months it took for him to walk again without mobility aids.
While Goold has forged a new career as a steward, Johnny has also successfully made the transition from racehorse to dressage and show hacking champion, just as Geoff and Emma Herriot predicted.
Emma’s hard work and some ‘Off The Track’ lessons run by Racing Queensland have paid off in a big way, with Johnny taking out the Champion Thoroughbred Class, Champion Thoroughbred Gelding and Supreme Champion at Caboolture Show last month, on top of a long list of dressage and show hacking titles.
Goold said transitioning from racing to dressage is like asking Usain Bolt to go from being a sprinter to doing gymnastics.
“But he’s got a lovely temperament, so that’s a big help – he doesn’t worry about any of those show carnival rides that start up near him – he takes everything in his stride, which is pretty much what he’s done since he was a racehorse,” he said.
“The Barlings have come out to watch him compete in a few shows, and they’re happy that he’s found a good home.”