Life Member of the Month – May – John Freeman
The Southern Hemisphere thoroughbred breeding season is steadily approaching and there are many different parts of the process before a foal is born and ultimately ready to race on the track. One of the integral parts includes stallion selection, a meticulous process in breeding prospect champions.
From the origins of Freeman Stallions to his role in creating the SA Turf Directory, the Racehorse Owners Association is honored to present John Freeman as our Life Member of the Month.
It’s difficult to encapsulate the full impact John Freeman has had on the racing and breeding industry in just a few paragraphs. A third-generation horseman, John’s name has become synonymous with stallion management, pedigree insight, and a deep-rooted passion for thoroughbreds. John was born into a racing family – quite literally. “My grandfather’s sister Jane married Eddie Agopian, who was an owner/trainer.
My father was a steeplechase rider and took over uncle Eddie’s blue and yellow striped colours and he passed on his blue and green colours to me when I turned 18, that was 52 years ago, he shares.
When asked where did you grow up, he jokingly noted that he hasn’t “fully grown up yet,” John was born when his parents farmed on the Tugela River near Weenen. Later his father built a hotel in the Valley Of A Thousand Hills so a lot of their time was spent there. After school and university in Johannesburg, he eventually settled in Cape Town in 1983.
Whilst his career is steeped in milestone victories, John holds both nostalgic and professional racing moments close. “Picnicking in the car park at Greyville on July Day was a highlight of my youth. I made good money from tips when Norman Ferguson’s In Full Flight won in 1972,” he recalls.
Of course, few memories top winning the Vodacom Durban July with Dynasty, a horse he purchased with Peter and Dean Kannemeyer for Fieldspring Racing, a company he ran for John Newsome. Newsome gave Freeman a percentage of the action. That legacy continued with Futura, who gave John the thrill of winning both the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate and the J&B Met.
When asked about interests outside of racing, John said: “Racing is my reason to get out of bed every day and has been all time consuming – I am passionate about breeding and the stallions that I manage. I spend most of my free time researching pedigrees or trying to finish a book that I have been writing for far too long. I used to go to gym every day until I broke my knee in England – then a series of medical issues sadly put a halt on that. My gym bag is in the boot of my car – I hope to get back.”
Freeman Stallions was born out of an early opportunity in 1977 when John was asked to syndicate and manage Hobnob at Bosworth Farm. Hobnob was very successful. That early success sparked a career, managing and syndicating numerous champion sires.
“I’ve been fortunate,” he says humbly. “But I can’t take credit for their success – it’s always a team effort. Syndication is key however, and choosing the horse and the right group of breeders from the outset is vital.” John remains devoted to his work, with daily pedigree research and stallion planning still bringing him energy and excitement.
One of John’s regular syndicate members once opined that good stallions seem to find John.
In the pre-digital days, John’s team had the largest industry database outside of the Jockey Club, gained from countless stud farm visits and insurance clients as he had daily contact in the industry and kept record of every person’s telephone number and address. This led many to call his office when they needed someone’s contact information.
Sharing contact details evolved into the SA Turf Directory in 1984, a popular printed address book which was the longest running publication in racing history. Though it transitioned online in 2020 due to postal strikes, its legacy continues. “In its heyday, the book had over 500 pages,” John notes proudly.
Taking photos of yearlings during farm visits evolved into a racing industry staple and this was an annual publication called the Year Book.
Other than student jobs in construction and retail, John has spent his entire professional life in racing – now celebrating 50 years in the industry.
His notable ownerships through the deal with John Newsone include champions like Dynasty, Free My Heart, Russian Sage, Legislate, and Rabiya, which they bred.
John added, “I bought Legislate as a yearling with the Snaiths for a syndicate. Before we left the sale Dennis Evans convinced us that we should let him buy the horse. Later Jack Mitchell bought half of the horse and eventually Drakenstein bought Dennis out and I bought a share of what was left of his racing career”.
Before moving to Cape Town, John had horses on the Highveld with James Goodman, Brett Warren, Ormonde Ferraris, Michael Azzie and Charles Laird. His first winner was with Reg Knight in the Cape in 1977.
John and Peter Kannemeyer were very close, and they had many successes together.
Trainers that John has had horses with in the Cape also include Eric Sands, Joey Ramsden, the Snaith’s, Brett Crawford who won the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate for them, and he currently has horses with Candice Bass Robinson and Vaughan Marshall.
As a long-standing member of the ROA, and deputy chairman when Newmarket Turf Club was sold, John has championed the rights and recognition of owners. “When I was a kid, owners were never given the best facilities or even dedicated parking spaces. We changed that,” he says. He also proudly coined the Associations memorable slogan: “You look after your horses, and we look after you”.
The features of ROA Life Members are noteworthy, not only for their continued passion and support, but also for the contributions they have made throughout the industry over the years. Their stories are a vital part of South African horseracing history, offering inspiration to future generations who carry the torch for the sport’s sustainability.
We thank John for his support and innovation in the industry and wish Freeman Stallions a wonderful breeding season ahead!
