By ANEEKA SIMONIS
VETERAN horse trainer John Fulton, 69, from Bunyip, was laughing among friends at the track in the hours before he was killed in a shock accident involving a horse at his property.
Pakenham Trainers’ Association president John Gunning said John, who was a committee member, and his wife Margot “left the track in fits of laughter” the morning of Tuesday 28 June – hours before he died while working on a horse at his Bunyip home late that afternoon.
“I just can’t believe it. On Tuesday morning, they left the track in fits of laughter. Next thing you know, I get a call at 4.13pm saying they are administering CPR on him and he’s not responding,” Mr Gunning said.
“Our group … we are all a big family. We see each other six days a week. It’s a blow to everyone.”
The circumstances surrounding his death are yet to be determined.
The well-respected trainer of 34 years was best known for most prized horse, Been Dancing, which won at Sandown and over the hurdles at Caulfield in 1998.
He trained his last winner at his home track when Time For Dancing, a horse Fulton owned and trained in partnership with his wife Margot, broke his maiden at his second start in May.
Racing Victoria’s chief executive Bernard Saundry paid tribute to Mr Fulton, a man he described as a hard-working and passionate asset to the industry.
“The training of the stable’s horses was a real team effort between John and his wife Margot, both of whom rode work, and continued as such until the day of his sudden passing,” he said
“It is people with the commitment and dedication of John and Margot that make our sport great and I know that John’s passing will be felt greatly by the Pakenham racing community
“The thoughts and prayers of the industry are with Margot, his family and friends at this sad and tough time.”
Mr Gunning said he will always treasure his last laugh his Mr Fulton at the Tynong racecourse, a close mate of more than 30 years.
“He was a great horseman and he had the right mannerisms to be a great horseman. He was kind, a gentle man … he never raised his voice. He was always willing to help people and really, really good to be around,” he said.
“I saw Margot yesterday and I said to her, ‘we are always going to remember how we were all laughing that morning’.”
The Pakenham Racing Club and Racing Victoria’s trainer wellbeing officer were working together to counsel and support the Pakenham training community.
