John Poots grabs emotional comeback victory

By Jordan Gerrans

The Central Queensland-based Poots clan have been to hell and back over the last few years and they found a reason to smile widely when Snazzy Snitzel broke his maiden status at Callaghan Park on Thursday afternoon.

Veteran Rockhampton horseman John Poots was rushed to hospital in Brisbane in July of last year with multiple serious brain injuries following a fall on his property.

The 65-year-old was in hospital for an extended period, undergoing several brain surgeries.

More than a year on from the terrible incident, Poots is back fighting fit after undergoing physiotherapy, exercises and speech therapy and is back working with his small Rockhampton stable of gallopers.

After making a miraculous recovery, he scored an emotional victory on Thursday on his home deck, preparing a winner with his first starter back from his extensive rehabilitation following his surgery.

Poots was overcome in the saddling enclosure post-race.

“It does make things better,” Poots said when asked about the winner following his health battles in recent times.

Poots has long been referred to as an ‘accomplished all-round horseman’ as he would regularly ride his own track work before his fall.

Rockhampton dual-licensee Tasha Chambers has helped the Poots stable with their track work since the sad incident and has been key in the development of the lightly-raced Snazzy Snitzel.

Chambers was handed the race ride on Snazzy Snitzel on Thursday after riding him in his track work and a trial prior to the 1100 metre assignment.

It was a special moment for the 45-year-old Chambers to be a part of the process to hand the Poots stable the sentimental victory.

“It was fantastic as they have been through a lot,” Chambers said.

“He has showed a lot of tenacity and determination to get back to where he is. It is unreal to see what he is doing now after what he has been through physically and mentally.

“Hopefully he can just keep improving.”

Poots’ wife Louise is also hands-on with their small team of gallopers.

As well as training a team of horses, the Poots’ are also involved in delivering hay to many others within the racing game in CQ.

The experienced trainer is known for putting others before himself and helping numerous other trainers. 

“He is one of the best people in the industry – he is very loyal,” Chambers said.

“He is humble and an all-round great man. He is an all-round great horseman and good bloke.

“He is a gifted horseman and it must be very difficult for him to step aside and not be able to ride his own horses in work and do the things he once did.

“I imagine it would be very frustrating for him. But, he has taken it all in his stride.”

Despite being a little green, Snazzy Snitzel was able to lead from start to finish on Thursday in his first Callaghan Park outing on race day.

The son of Snitzel has been through the stables of Richard and Will Freedman as well as Joseph Burges’ barn before landing with Poots.

“She is doing a great job and rides my work for me,” Poots said of Chambers’ efforts with the galloper.

The victory was the first for Poots since April of 2022 and was his first starter in a race since the middle of June last year.

“He is a handful,” Poots said of Snazzy Snitzel. 

“His trials have been good.”

Chambers thinks there is plenty of upside with the five-year-old gelding who has only had two race starts so far.

Chambers – who holds her own training licence – described Snazzy Snitzel as a ‘big striding lovely horse’ and noted he gave her a strong feel underneath her.

“They have done a fantastic job with the horse,” Chambers said of the Poots stable.

“They have obviously sourced the horse and given him a wind operation, they have out laid the money to do that and treat him after the operation while bringing him up slowly as you do.

“He still has a lot to learn the horse and a lot of improvement in him.

“They have had to nurse him along following the operation and he will continue to improve and progress the more starts he has.

“They only have a small team and they treat their horses like they are part of the family.”

The Australian Trainers Association and Queensland Racing Industry Support Program raised more than $24,000 through donations to assist the Poots family.

All proceeds went to help cover costs associated with John's recovery, medical expenses, travel for Louise, feed for their 10 horses and the day-to-day living costs during his rehabilitation process.