John Sadler confirms November 30 end to training operation

John Sadler will close his stable on November 30, ending almost 50 years at the helm of his own training operation.

Under the banner of John Sadler Racing, the veteran Victorian trainer announced the decision in a message to owners headed: “Time for a new chapter”.

“As most would know I have trained horses in my own right for 48 years and the time has come to not have the ongoing responsibility of running the business daily and overseeing the horses training preparation,” he said.

The stable will operate as usual until November 30. After that, horses in work will move to new trainers, while Sadler himself will take up a new role.

The trainer issued a futher message confirming he would take a position with Clinton McDonald Racing in an advisory capacity.

“I have known Clinton for many years as fellow trainer across Melbourne and Southside Racing and look forward to supporting him and being part of his racing and training team in the near future. I will be a regular at the stables at Cranbourne as I get to know Clinton’s horses and settle in some of ours into their new stables,” he said.

“There are a lot of similarities and synergies in the way Clinton runs his business both on and off the track so the transition for the horses and owners that come across we aim to be as seamless as possible.”

In his original email, Sadler said owners do not need to make immediate decisions about their horses’ futures.

Where possible, the horses will go to trainers already known to the stable, and he expects the handover to be “relatively seamless”.

Sadler said he was working with all staff to find them new roles.

“As you would be aware, my staff have been great, so I expect they will be placed quickly,” he said.

He also said he expected to announce his own next step in the coming weeks.

Sadler began training professionally in his mid-20s at Colac before moving to Flemington in 1986.

Over the years, he trained a string of elite performers, including Group 1 winners Jolly Old Mac, Lady Jakeo, Kenvain, Efficient and Linton.

His major victories include the Australian Guineas, Blue Diamond Stakes, William Reid Stakes, Oakleigh Plate, Turnbull Stakes and Stradbroke Handicap.

He spent four years training in Dubai and later trained privately for prominent owner Lloyd Williams.

Upon returning to public training, he established himself as a consistent force in Victorian racing while deliberately keeping a relatively small team, preferring quality over quantity.