The final day in January brought the announcement that one of racing’s biggest supporters had passed away at the age of 85. As the man behind the recognisable yellow silks with the red star, John Hales tasted considerable success during his 40 years as an owner, including big race wins in the Grand National, Queen Mother Champion Chase, and King George VI Chase.
Sadly, the victory of Protektorat at Windsor on the 19th of January 2025 represented the final John Hales-owned winner. Here, we look back at the racing highlights of a man who will be greatly missed and fondly remembered by the racing world.
Toy Manufacturer Finds His Fun in Horses
Born in Birmingham in 1939, Hales made his fortune through his toy manufacturing company Golden Bear Toys. Producing toys related to smash hit TV shows Noddy, Teletubbies, Sooty, In The Night Garden, and more, Hales helped light up the birthdays and Christmases of kids up and down the land. For his own fun, John regularly turned to the racecourse and enjoyed many magic moments in partnership with the biggest names in the game.
Key Training Ally Makes Announcement
Throughout his time as an owner, Hales enjoyed several magnificent afternoons in partnership with multiple British Champion Paul Nicholls.
Such a massive supporter of racing 🐎
RIP Mr Hales 🕊️ pic.twitter.com/qFCpQ4ihr5
— Harry Cobden (@CobdenHarry) January 31, 2025
It was the Ditcheat maestro who broke the news to the racing community in an X announcement on Friday morning, which read:
“It is with great sadness to report that John Hales passed away last evening. A great man and a fantastic owner and friend for many people. Thoughts with his wife Pat and his wonderful family. He will be missed by so many in racing. RIP John.”
Ruby Walsh was the man in the saddle for many of the Hales-owned, Nicholls-trained success stories. The now-retired rider was also quick to pay tribute to Hales, stating:
“John was very passionate about the sport and about his horses. He was a lovely man, and I liked that you knew exactly where you stood with him. I think he was a great man for horseracing and was a huge investor in the sport. He got great enjoyment out of it. He even sorted me out with a few Christmas presents for the kids up and down the line.”
Horses Who Helped Hales Scale the Heights
Any new owner would no doubt be delighted to achieve even half the success of John Hales. Clearly having a shrewd eye for racing talent, Hales welcomed an enviable array of talent back to the winner’s enclosure over the years. Amidst that conveyor belt of equine excellence, the following quartet, in particular, will live long in the memory.
One Man
Having shown promise as a novice hurdler, One Man was purchased by Hales ahead of the 1993/94 season. Transferred to the yard of Sir Gordon Richards and sent over fences, he progressed to become one of the greatest chasers of his generation. Successful in 17 of 26 chase outings, his four Grade 1 wins included the 1996 King George VI Chase and 1998 Queen Mother Champion Chase.
Neptune Collonges
Recruited from France in 2005, Neptune Collonges won three times in Grade 2 company over hurdles. However, his finest hour would come over the most formidable fences in the game. Having bagged 3 Grade 1 chase contests earlier in his career, the 11-year-old was one of the classiest operators in the 2012 Grand National field. Despite his proven class, a winless 2011/12 saw the horse sent off at a seemingly generous 33/1 at Aintree. Happily, for Paul Nicholls, Hales, and jockey Daryl Jacob, Neptune Collonges put his best hoof forward when it mattered most to deny Sunyhillboy in a classic renewal of the great race.
Azertyuiop
In a vintage era for the 2m chase division – featuring talents such as Moscow Flyer, Flagship Uberalles, and Horse La Loi III – Azertyuiop flew the Hales flag with distinction. Successful four times at the highest level, his finest hour came when claiming the 2004 Queen Mother Champion Chase by an easy nine lengths.
📆 March 17, 2004
📍@CheltenhamRaces🗣️ “And Azertyuiop wins the Queen Mother Champion Chase in magnificent style! Ruby Walsh windmills the crowd!” #HappyRetirementRubyWalsh pic.twitter.com/RVHGSiEo6J
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) May 2, 2019
Politologue
Racking up over £1m in prize money during his 31-race career, this Dan Skelton star took Hales to the Grade 1 winners’ podium on four occasions. A dual winner of the Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown, he handed Hales a third and final Queen Mother Champion Chase victory in 2020.
Racing is sure to miss one of its staunchest and longest-running supporters, but hopefully, the success experienced by Hales may inspire others to venture into the ownership world of the sport he loved so much.