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Shear, Smith, Shulman, Byk Named 2021 NTWAB Award Winners

John Shear, who retired from his post as Santa Anita Park's paddock guard this year at age 100, will be honored along with retired Del Mar publicist Dan Smith, Turf writer Lenny Shulman and radio personality Steve Byk during the National Turf Writers And Broadcasters' 61st annual Awards Dinner Wednesday, Nov. 3.

The NTWAB Awards Dinner is the organization's only fundraiser and a portion of the proceeds of the event are used toward scholarships for prospective racing journalists and to support other Thoroughbred industry charities. The NTWAB Awards Dinner returns to its traditional date on the Breeders' Cup Week calendar after a one-year hiatus and will be held at the iconic Brigantine Seafood and Oyster Bar in Del Mar, California.

Shear will be honored with the Mr. Fitz Award for “typifying the spirit of racing”. During his time with Santa Anita, Shear was entrusted with keeping horses and patrons safe, and famously risked his life in that endeavor 10 years ago at age 90 to put his 5-foot, 115-pound body between a loose horse and a child–resulting in multiple fractures. He was one of the most recognizable employees at Santa Anita and worked as a paddock guard for nearly 60 years, retiring this past summer.

Smith, who served more than 40 years as full-time director of media relations at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, will be honored with the Joe Palmer Award for meritorious service to racing. Smith was at the forefront of Del Mar's innovations that attracted new fans and enhanced the experience of traditional customers, while always putting the racing product front and center. Prior to his career in media relations, Smith covered racing and other sports for the Los Angeles Times. Prior to his retirement in 2021, the Dan Smith Press Box was christened at Del Mar.

Shulman, the features editor at BloodHorse magazine for 20 years and the author of four books including “Justify: 111 Days to Triple Crown Glory,” will be honored with the Walter Haight Award for career excellence in Turf writing. Shulman also wrote “Ride of Their Lives,” a look at the troubled lives of some jockeys, and two novels, “Long Way From Home” and “Points.”

Byk, the host of the popular “At the Races with Steve Byk” show on SiriusXM, will be honored with the Jim McKay Award for career excellence in broadcasting. Byk's five-day-a-week news magazine has become a must-listen for many industry participants and fans. Byk began writing about racing in 2002, eventually developing DerbyTrail.com. He joined 'At the Races and Beyond' on Sirius in 2005 and took over the show in 2007.

Tickets for the NTWAB Awards Dinner, which can be purchased through EventBrite, are $80 for NTWAB members and Breeders' Cup credentialed media and $100 for non-members and guests. Invitations will be mailed to NTWAB members, and non-members can request an invitation by contacting Jessie Oswald at jboswald68@gmail.com.

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John Shear, Dan Smith Among Honorees At 2021 NTWAB Awards Dinner

Shear will be honored with the Mr. Fitz Award for typifying the spirit of racing. During his time with Santa Anita Shear was entrusted with keeping horses and patrons safe, and famously risked his life in that endeavor 10 years ago at age 90 to put his 5-foot, 115-pound body between a loose horse and a child – resulting in multiple fractures. His value to racing was so much more, as one of the most recognizable employees who interfaced with fans on a daily basis, his warm smile and familiarity with regulars making him incredibly popular. He worked in that capacity for nearly 60 years, retiring this past summer.

Smith, who served more than 40 years as full-time director of media relations at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, will be honored with the Joe Palmer Award for meritorious service to racing. Smith was at the forefront of Del Mar's innovations that not only attracted new fans, but also enhanced the experience of traditional customers, while always putting the racing product front and center. Prior to his career in media relations, Smith covered racing and other sports for the Los Angeles Times. Prior to his retirement in 2021, the Dan Smith Press Box was christened at Del Mar.

Shulman, the features editor at BloodHorse magazine for 20 years and the author of four books including “Justify: 111 Days to Triple Crown Glory,” will be honored with the Walter Haight Award for career excellence in Turf writing. Shulman also wrote “Ride of Their Lives,” a look at the troubled lives of some jockeys, and two novels, “Long Way From Home” and “Points.” Shulman began his career as a sports reporter at the Oneida (New York) Daily Dispatch after graduating from Syracuse University's Newhouse School of Communications.

Tickets for the NTWAB Awards Dinner, which can be purchased through EventBrite (https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2021-national-turf-writers-broadcasters-awards-dinner-tickets-172321537357), are $80 for NTWAB members and Breeders' Cup credentialed media and $100 for non-members and guests. Invitations will be mailed to NTWAB members, and non-members can request an invitation by contacting Jessie Oswald at jboswald68@gmail.com.

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Santa Anita’s Beloved Paddock Captain John Shear Retires At Age 100

The news came in a twitter post this past Monday. John Shear, Santa Anita's 100-year-old Paddock Captain, made it official as he announced his retirement from The Great Race Place following more than 60 years of great memories and dedicated service.

“It's official, I have retired from work,” Shear wrote. “For 60 years, I worked all the Southern California racetracks, met many incredible people and saw the best horses. It has been a career I look back (upon) with great pride and wonderful memories. I'm in great health and will visit Santa Anita as a fan.”

Accordingly, Santa Anita will honor the man who gained national attention nine years ago when he heroically threw himself between an on-rushing loose horse and a 5-year-old girl who was standing beside her father just outside the track's Seabiscuit Walking Ring with a special Paddock dedication and ceremony on opening day of the 2021 Autumn Meet on Friday, Oct. 1.

A commemorative plaque honoring Shear's decades-long commitment to customer service and safety will be unveiled in Santa Anita's Paddock Gardens area and Shear will be feted in a Winner's Circle ceremony as well.

Sidelined due to COVID-related restrictions at the track earlier in the year, Shear was reluctant to call it a career, but decided over the weekend to contact his union local and at last enjoy the benefits of retirement.

“John really wanted to go back to work this year, but with COVID basically shutting things down, it just wasn't possible,” said his wife Diane by phone from their home in nearby Sierra Madre on Tuesday. “He misses the horses and the people so much. The fans, the jockeys, the trainers, everybody, it's just been his life forever. We're thrilled to learn that Santa Anita is going to honor him in this way and we can't wait to come out on Oct. 1. It should be a great day.”

Orphaned as a young boy in his native England, Shear, at four feet, 11 inches, originally aspired to be a jockey and following service in World War II, he emigrated to Vancouver, B.C., from where he came to Santa Anita for the first time as an exercise boy in 1954.

“I was exercising horses for a guy in Vancouver and he asked me if I'd like to go with him to Santa Anita that fall,” said Shear when interviewed prior to his 100th birthday this past January. “I said, 'Sure,' and as soon as I stepped off that van in the Stable Area here, is said 'Lord, this is where I want to be.' The place was so incredibly beautiful and I've never gotten tired of it.”

A big believer in daily exercise, Shear, who remains a svelte 104 pounds, had this simple advice for a long life prior to his 99th birthday:

“Find something you love, stay positive and exercise!”

Aye aye Captain and we'll see you on Oct. 1!

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Beloved Santa Anita Paddock Captain Shear Looking Forward To Celebrating 100th Birthday But Misses The Horses

Although his preferred venue is off the agenda for the time being, Santa Anita's beloved Paddock Captain John Shear will nonetheless celebrate his 100^th birthday with family this Sunday, Jan. 17. Furloughed since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March, Shear, who has been employed by the track since 1961, would dearly love to return to his beloved Santa Anita.

Santa Anita will name a race in honor of Shear's 100^th birthday on Sunday, and although they'll be unable to attend, Shear and his wife Diane and son Michael, will spend his 100^th birthday at John and Diane's Sierra Madre home watching the races and wading through dozens of birthday greetings from jockeys, trainers and track employees via a virtual birthday card presented by Santa Anita.

I enjoy watching on television, but nothing compares to being at Santa Anita,” said Shear. “We just hope this pandemic will end soon and we can get back to normal. My wife and I are trying to stay busy with exercise classes and we spend as much time outdoors as we can. We're being careful, staying out of stores and ordering things to go, but I miss working and being around the horses so much.”

A native of England who was raised from age four to 14 in an orphanage, Shear, at four feet, 11 inches, originally aspired to be a jockey and following World War II, emigrated to Vancouver, B.C. from where he came to Santa Anita as an exercise boy in 1954.

“I was exercising horses for a guy in Vancouver and he asked me if I'd like to go with him to Santa Anita that fall,” said Shear when interviewed a year ago. “I said 'Sure,' and as soon as I stepped off that van in the Stable Area here, I said 'Lord, this is where I want to be.' The place was so incredibly beautiful and I've never gotten tired of it.”

And The Great Race Place will never tire of John Shear, a man who gained national attention nine years ago when at the age of 91, he heroically threw himself between an on-rushing loose horse and a 5-year-old girl who was standing with her father outside of Santa Anita's Seabiscuit Walking Ring.

On the cusp of his 100^th birthday, Shear no doubt speaks for thousands of race goers when he says, “I just hope I can get back to the track soon.”

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