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“He was just really good to work with. He could get a lot of run out of a horse.”
HIS METICULOUS MANNER
In addition to hard work and good
horses, John added to his “luck” by keeping scrupulous schedules and work habits. “The whole time he rode for me, he was meticulous about being on time, and he had the same little sugar donuts and the same type of coffee for 20-something years,” Russell says. “We used to have seasons at Los Alamitos where we had breaks, and from around Christmas to spring we were all breaking colts at the ranch. He’d come out every day and be riding and working colts.”
John also kept meticulous records. “Whether he was riding in a race or not, after a race was finished, he’d take his program and he’d watch the reruns over and over in the jocks’ room,” Russell says. “He’d write notes
– Mike Robbins
John rode World Champion Sgt Pepper Feature in most of his races for trainer Mike Robbins
about every horse that was in the race — what post position it was in, whether it was antsy in the gates, whether it tried to lug in or lug out and some of its habits. Then, later on, he might pick up that mount and he could tell you everything that horse was doing. He had ringed binders filled up with it; it was just unbelievable. I’d venture to say he’s still got
all of that.”
He was also meticulous about his riding
style, which earned him the nickname ‘Sit-Still Johnny Creager.’ “When he rode, he could sit still on a horse better than any other rider,” Russell says. “He could sit on one and win, and win by a nose, and never uncock his stick. He just knew what his horse was, and he’d keep their head picked up and let them run. He’s one of the best riders who ever rode for me.
And he never raised his voice; he was just calm and listened and picked things up; he’s a very sharp guy.”
Mike Robbins adds that although John followed trainers’ directions to a T, he wouldn’t hesitate to tell a trainer if he thought there was something about a horse’s style that the trainer needed to know, and then work with him to overcome the issue. “He was just really good to work with,” Mike says. “He could get a lot of run out of a horse.”
“Whenever John told you something, that’s the way it was and people got to know that and they trusted him,” Russell adds. “He picked up horses all the time from people who knew they’d get a first-class effort out of him and that he was there to do business, not to goof off.”
AQHA’s All-Time Leading Breeder and Owner, Ed Allred hired John to manage his Rolling A Ranch after he retired from riding, and he’s been there ever since.
Dr. Ed Allred
SPEEDHORSE January 2022 97
Photo courtesy of John Creager
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