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The Thoroughbred Racing Industry is today mourning the loss of former Sydney Turf Club General Manager of Racing & Wagering, Mr John Nicholson who passed away on Monday morning following a long illness.

“John Nicholson was widely respected and admired right across the racing industry,” said Racing NSW’s Chief Executive, Mr Peter V’landys AM.

“John had a larrikin nature and was brilliant at his job and for decades John put his heart and soul into the betterment of Sydney racing.

“Upon retirement in 2017 we were lucky to have secured John as a highly valued member of our Appeal Panel.

The late Mr John Nicholson. Image by Bradley Photographers

“We pass on our sincere condolences to John’s wife Julie, his family and many friends.”

Now retired ATC GM-Racecourses, Lindsay Murphy first met John Nicholson after applying for a job at the Sydney Turf Club in 1977.

“John Nicholson and the CEO Pat Parker interviewed me for my first job as a racing office clerk,” Murphy recalled.

“Such was John’s easy-going nature, following work that same afternoon we enjoyed a beer together!”

Pat Parker who worked at the Sydney Turf Club for 44 years said John Nicholson was a “genuine, honest and fair dinkum gentleman”.

“He met his wife Julie at the STC when she worked as a receptionist/typist. John was an outstanding fellow and he would go overseas, especially to New Zealand to promote our autumn carnival – he never over promised the trainers and always delivered.

“In fact, I remember he came back from one NZ trip and said: ‘There’s a good young trainer over there we should try and entice to Sydney and get him boxes – it was none other than Chris Waller!”

Michael Kenny worked alongside John Nicholson as an STC CEO and said John had acquired racing friends not just in Australia and New Zealand but around the world.

“He was the best racing manager I’ve ever seen and had respect right around the industry and beyond.

“The world will miss John; he was a true gentleman and leaves a hole in a lot of people’s lives.”