Former Clerk of the Course John ‘Patto’ Patterson, famous for leading in the winners of the Melbourne Cup at Flemington, has died, aged 86.

As chief Clerk of the Course at Flemington, Patterson led in his first Melbourne Cup winner when Rain Lover scored in the famous Flemington race in 1969 with his last being with the Gai Waterhouse-trained Fiorente in 2013, spanning a 44-year involvement in the great race.

His connection with the Melbourne Cup, and racing, dates back further when as a 13-year-old he made his way to Flemington to become an apprentice jockey before later forging a career in the wider equestrian community.

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Patterson was a well-respected horse breaker for all disciplines, educating apprentice jockeys at apprentices’ school and taught local school children about horses.

He was also a participant and judge at the Royal Melbourne Show, an accomplished pre-trainer and was commissioned to design a range of horse bits.

Patterson was recognised for his contribution to racing when awarded the Order of Australia Medal in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List in 2021.

He is survived by two sons, Shane and Peter, who have followed in their father’s footsteps by becoming Clerks of the Course, employed by Racing Victoria, while daughter Sheralee, is an accomplished horsewoman overseeing the post racing career of multiple Group 1 winner Hartnell.

Victorian Jockeys’ Association chief executive Matt Hyland said Patterson was an amazing horseman and one who jockeys relied upon come raceday.

“On behalf of all riders, past and present, the VJA extends our sincere condolences to Glenys, Shane, Peter, Sheralee and the Patterson family on the loss of an amazing horseman,” Hyland said.

“The clerks of the course play an important role in protecting the safety of riders and horses on raceday and there has been no one bigger in the role than Patto.

“Patto was highly respected by generations of riders who had the privilege of learning from him or relying upon his talents on raceday.

“His memory will live on.”

In 2023, 10 years on from ‘Patto’s’ final duties as a Clerk of the Course, the Victoria Racing Club formally recognised the family’s connection with Flemington by naming the horse walk from the winning post back to the winner’s enclosure ‘Patterson Avenue’.

Tributes quickly came flowing in for the much-loved icon.

“Vale John ‘Patto’ Patterson OAM. He educated me during my apprentice years. Without his guidance, advice, and support, a lot of jockeys wouldn’t be as successful as they are now. He was a protector, bodyguard, and saviour on race day. He will be sorely missed,” master jockey Craig Williams said.

– RAS NewsWire