Media Release

KAP Member for Kennedy Bob Katter congratulated Mareeba-raised horse trainer John O’Shea on his third place in yesterday’s Melbourne Cup with Hartnell.

“John O’Shea is a Mareeba boy who has consolidated himself as one of the two or three top race horse trainers in the country,” Mr Katter said.

Now based in NSW Mr O’Shea is principal trainer for the Australian branch of global super-stable Godolphin and has worked with horse greats such as Tommy Smith, Gai Waterhouse and Bart Cummings.

Mr Katter said John comes from a strong Tablelands stock.

“His father Bernie O’Shea, with the Mareeba Syndicate, won the Townsville Cup, then richest horse race in North Queensland, three years in a row,” Mr Katter said.