Unsung hero ‘JB’ calls time

By Brittany Graham 

When Craig Wiggins drove out of Mt Harding Racecourse on Sunday evening he was likely filled with many emotions.

 Mainly pride and admiration, but also a tinge of sadness after officially calling time on his partner JB’s professional career as a clerk of the course.

At 22 years of age, "Wiggy" felt it was an appropriate time to retire his partner in crime after 10 years of service to the harness racing community. 

It was also apt as a full circle moment, as the duo started their duties at Methven after answering a call from Ricky and Judy May to step in. As they say, the rest is history.

Still looking as healthy and happy as ever, JB retires soundly and will step into another important role – as a pleasure horse for Craig’s daughter. It's an opportunity for the quarter horse to remain active and live a quieter life.

When asked for a standout memory as a part of Trackside's Sunday Session program, one clearly sprung to mind for Craig.

“One day at Rangiora several drivers were tipped out and after trying to catch a horse on the outside of me, it ducked to the inside, and we had to cut the corner to catch it”.

“What I then realised was only 100 metres further on there were still drivers lying on the track – the old fella got a standing ovation on return to the birdcage,” he said with pride.

When our participants step onto the track, it is horses like JB and people like Craig Wiggins that keep them safe, and we sometime don’t realise how important they are until on the odd occasion when things go wrong.

On behalf of the industry, happy retirement and thank you JB.