Bermuda Racing’s beloved Johnny Barnes sadly passes

A flag bearer for our hybrid racing/breeding strategy, Johnny was more than just a horse for Bermuda Racing. The very first purchase for Bermuda Racing, the striking then yearling son of Acclamation was snapped up for €310,000 by Highclere Agency at the Goffs Orby Sale.

Trained by John Gosden, Johnny Barnes was quick to make an impact on the racing scene. His first start as a two-year-old was a winning one and he soon went on to become a top-class juvenile, placing second in the Group 1 Criterium International at Saint-Cloud. He secured four victories from two to five years old and brought about some fantastic days on the track for the Bermuda Racing team. It is Johnny Barnes’ Prix Quincey win at Deauville that Bermuda Racing’s founder, Simon Scupham, recounts as one of his most memorable days in racing – with jockey Frankie Dettori pleasing all in attendance with one of his trademark ‘flying dismount’ for this emphatic Group 3 success.

Each of the Bermuda Racing horses is given a name with a Bermuda connection. In the case of Johnny Barnes, he was named after a beloved local personality who was affectionately named “Mr Happy" - this turned out to be perfectly fitting for equine Johnny who had such a kind nature and admirable spirit. Not only was he a yard favourite at Gosden’s, he also went on to be held in such high regard at Haras des Granges where he continued his career as a stallion in France.

Siring stakes horses is no mean feat and most remarkably Johnny Barnes was able to produce high-class stock from relatively small crop numbers. His first book of just 45 foals produced the four-time winner and Listed-placed two-year-old Maroon Six and most notably his second crop of just 40 foals produced the dual-winning HAYEJOHN, who went on to score impressively in the Listed Prix des Jouvenceaux et des Jouvencelles at Vichy. Mathieu Daguzan-Garros, owner of Haras des Granges highlighted his admiration for Johnny Barnes’ ability to upgrade his stock, producing black-type horses from modest broodmares.

Simon Scupham reflected, “A sad day indeed as Johnny was a very special horse who really paved the route along which Bermuda Racing is now travelling. Johnny will be greatly missed, not least of all by Mathieu and his team who gave so much time of their time, effort and love to support him in his stallion career. His passing will also certainly leave a big hole in their lives.”