Legendary Fab’s Cowboy rides off into the sunset

Cover photo: Roxanne Weston

By Andrew Smith

It was not the fairytale finish most had hoped for, but it was still a farewell befitting of the extraordinary occasion.

Bush legend Fab’s Cowboy had his 159^th and final race start at Longreach on Saturday before his mandatory retirement.

The gelding finished unplaced in seventh in the race named in his honour, the Farewell Fab's Cowboy Sprint Open Plate.

But that did not stop the raucous crowd at the Central Queensland racecourse saving their biggest cheer for the legend of country racing as he exited the track for the final time.

The 12-year-old bows out with a record 54 wins, the most of any horse in the modern era of racing in Australia, as well as 46 placings.

He will now head to the Living Legends retirement home in Victoria where he will join several Melbourne Cup winners.

For trainer Bevan Johnson, wife Mel and the entire Johnson family, there was a mixture of emotions after one of the busiest weeks of their lives.

Speaking on Friday afternoon at the Johnson Racing stables in Barcaldine, Bevan – or Bill as everyone calls him – was his usual laid-back self as he took his champion through his final pre-race preparations.

The family had been inundated with media requests throughout the week but that did not change anything in the lead up to Cowboy’s last start.

“Yeah it’s been a bit hectic, more people here than normal – I’m a bit edgy and everyone is on edge a bit at the moment,” Bill said with a smile.

“Our preparation has been the same the whole way through, we never change anything - he doesn’t like change, old Cowboy.

“He’s done everything we’ve asked him to do, we’re not asking too much of him.”

On race eve, Mel also admitted the enormity of the occasion had started to hit home for the family.

“It just started off business as usual and as it’s progressed, the moment’s getting a bit more real,” Mel said.

“You start to take note and reflect, a few last times that you’re doing things with this horse - they become a bit more meaningful.

“As we come down to the line it probably starts to hit a bit more closer to home, today’s been the worst day.

“We’re extremely superstitious, we don’t change anything - but the horse has an uncanny sense…I’m pretty sure he’s started to realise something’s going on.”

True to their rituals, the Johnsons treated Saturday like any other race day – leaving Barcaldine at the same time for the approximately 90-minute trip along the Landsborough Highway with their three runners for the day.

But it was no ordinary meeting at the Longreach Jockey Club, with racegoers coming from far and wide to see if Fab’s Cowboy could add one final chapter to the record books.

He had raced all over the state in Mt Isa, Roma, Gladstone, Charleville, Bundaberg, Blackall, Moranbah, Barcaldine and Cunnamulla.

Caps and stubby coolers paying tribute to the galloper’s career were selling faster than the burgers and beers on offer, while his white and blue colours were the obvious fashion choice for the day.

For Longreach Jockey Club President and race caller Andrew Watts, the day had been months in the planning after being contacted by Fab’s Cowboy’s part-owner, Paul Currin, about a swansong for his racehorse.

“It was a great honour when Paul approached me…he’d obviously looked forward at the calendar, he saw July 27 as a potential date for his last run and of course Longreach for that central location for his family and owners fitted the bill,” Watts said.

“To have a long-term plan come off not only for us the club, but also for Fab’s Cowboy the horse - it’s wonderful that he’s going to be lining up today.

“It’s a true bush story in itself with the horse being born in Julia Creek, and trained throughout country Queensland - it’s a record I can see lasting for a long, long time.

“It really it is a celebration of his career, win lose or draw the horse is a bush champion and a lot of the time race crowds are built around Fashions on the Field and the party so to speak, but to have the people here for the horse is special as well.”

Jockey Tyler Leslight, who had ridden Cowboy on 12 occasions throughout the horse’s nine-year-career, was one of several buzzing with excitement at the significance of the day.

But the honour of Fab’s final ride would go to apprentice Shakira Bailey, the 60^th hoop to have saddled up on the living legend, in her first time on board.

With the last race brought forward by 15 minutes due to incoming wet weather, it was finally time for the Cowboy’s last stand.

The emotions were clear for Bill who retreated back to the tie-up stalls after sending out his stable stalwart for the last time.

Jumping at $10, Fab’s Cowboy settled on the fence in the Longreach dirt and was no match for $1.80 favourite The Hanger Cat, finishing seventh by six-and-a-half lengths.

For connections, there was simply relief Cowboy had got through his final run unscathed.

“Honestly wanted him to win – I said earlier it’ll be a fairytale if it happens for him,” Currin said.

“But that’s the easiest way, a midfield good run - he’s healthy, he’s come back, he’s well and can go to Living Legends healthy, a good finish.”

Adorned in Living Legends bibs and colours, Currin and Bill paraded Fab’s Cowboy around the mounting yard one last time to the appreciative punters, appropriately set to the backdrop of Tina Turner’s “Simply The Best.”

While it wasn’t the packed stadiums of Eagle Farm, Randwick or Flemington, it sounded like a crowd of thousands was there to pay their respects to their local legend.

After the mammoth build-up, Bill and Mel could also finally relax and marvel at the efforts of their warhorse.

“It’s not his favourite surface, he wasn’t in his favourite position, on the fence there…but we’re still proud of him,” Mel said.

“At the end of the day he’s certainly not a disgrace and won’t take away from the fact he was a champion until the end.

“We’ll have a private moment when we get home and the family are there and probably be a few beers drunk and a few tears shed.

“At this moment it’s been a lovely day and the club’s done a tremendous job so we’re just feeling pretty proud and happy to be part of it."

Bill even boldly declared that you would be game to bet against Fab’s Cowboy if another run was on the cards.

“You could see how emotionally he was pissed off  - he knows he didn’t win,” Bill said.

“If we backed him up next week, I guarantee he’d win, that’s him.

“They won’t beat his record – a Queensland country horse won’t best it.”

The Currin and Johnson families were treated to a huge celebratory cake, a slice each for connections of the horse who had carved out his own slice of racing history. 

So into retirement and off to the Living Legends Fab’s Cowboy goes - a fitting final destination for a true Queensland racing legend.