A conversation with John Hallett

I consider John Hallett one of the unsung heroes of our harness racing sport.

Absolutely meticulous in his ways, Hall of Fame horseman Wally Hennessey remembers John Hallett from when he was just a “little tyke” that came over to his barn at Exhibition Park (in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada) as a six-year-old “selling apples or something,”

The young lad quickly gained an affinity to horses and learned from two of the best—Hennessey and Marcel Barrieau.

As of this day, the 55-year-old Hallett has been in the standardbred business for over three decades and is known for the same meticulous ways which he learned along ago.

Harnesslink was fortunate to have the opportunity to interview Hallett recently and seek his definitive ways which have led to his success.

(HL) First and foremost, thanks for taking the time to give us your great insight into your success.

(JH) Honored to do so.

(HL) Any definitive moments that come to mind leading you to success in this business?

(JH) Absolutely. The first—and most important—is the day I met Michelle. We became a “daily double” almost immediately and she is there for me every great moment—as well as not-so-great—moments, which are part of the business, too. We have been blessed with two remarkable kids, Jonathan and Jessica and are very proud of both of them.

(HL) Jessica has made quite a name for herself in the industry with her stellar skills as a photographer and artist. You must be very proud.

(JH) Michelle and I are very proud of both the kids, and they have made us look great as parents…see, it goes both ways!

(HL) You have been at this for a long time and have managed to survive a long time…and in a changing era where it’s not easy to be successful.

(JH) Well, we don’t bite off more than we can chew so we have time to give all of our horses the attention to do their best on the track.

(HL) You used to drive a bit and, in your most successful season in the bike, had a “batting average’ of .467. Why, then, did you begin to use catch-drivers instead of using your own talent?

(JH) When you learn from somebody like Wally (Hennessey) and know how great he can drive—and train—I might add, it makes common sense to use the best drivers—then they can’t beat you when they’re driving against you.

(HL) So, you don’t try and out-bid those at the sales with those $200,000 yearlings.

(JH) We have racehorses and try to stay afloat the best we can by keeping them in top shape with great care when we get to the barn before the sun rises and until we put them to bed an hour after the last race is official. I believe you have to know your horses…and they have to know you!

(HL) What do you mean by that?

(JH) Well, as a trainer, I spend every day going over every horse head to hoof. There’s a training schedule…a feeding schedule…finding a competitive race for the horse to keep his confidence up…what a specific horse needs…maybe a toy or treat it likes…things like that.

(HL) Let me ask you…are horses smart?

(JH) You betcha, they’re smart! I guarantee our horses know the sound of our car when we come to work in the morning…the recognize us, for sure…their eyes follow us around…they love attention…they love affection…they love kisses and scratching and rubs!

(HL) I heard some nicknames that you’ve given your horses…

(JH) Yup, we love ‘em and give most of them nicknames. They seem to know that we’re talking to them and they respond. I find that the better they are cared for ensures that they’ll give you everything they’ve got on the racetrack. That’s all you can ask.

(HL) I know it’s not all a bed of roses in the business…

(JH) How true that is. There has been many a night over the years that I or any of my caretakers have slept right in front of the stall just in case…You know, you can get to know a horse so well that you can tell even when the simplest thing goes wrong. There seems to be a special bond that develops between us.

(HL) Of course, you have owners that trust you with their investments in horses.

(JH) Yes, and the owner can play a huge role in a horse’s success—not just a bystander that says, “send me the bills and the checks.” I am probably as picky in taking owners as I am picking horses. I need to know that the owner is going to do everything to make the horse successful…like everything he needs. I want an owner that will make the best decision for his horse in case he needs special equipment to look his best on the track. In other words, I want the owner to make the best decision for his horse and its success.

(HL) You’ve had some pretty solid performers over the years, anyone that just might be a favorite?

(JH) Well, I’d have to say the trotter Joey Pro has a special place in my heart. He won his first race for me in 2017 when he was three and he’s won every year for us since. I think he’s won close to 40 races for us (38) and pushing $300,000 ($294,773). He’s getting a bit of age on him now—nine—but he loves racing and still has the ability to win. We love that horse! He’s part of the family! But we’ve got some other very formidable ones like ESA, Sea Shadows, Don’t Chip Me, Joint Account and Scootnroll, to name a few.

(HL) You’ve had, literally, almost 50 years—a half century—-learning the trade. You’ve seen just about all of it…from a 2:10 winning mile to a 1:50 winning mile. Do you remember your first training win?

(JH) Of course, nobody forgets their first training win…Touchdown Pass at Pompano Park…November 18, 1992. The purse was $2,000 and he won in a photo finish! I didn’t know if I won or lost, it was that close. He won in 1:57.4…I think!

(HL) I guess that was your first driving win, as well?

(JH) Actually, no, it wasn’t. I fiddled around driving a bit in the mid-’80’s and had a win or two back then—nothing to brag about so, really, the early 1990’s was when I started to pour my heart and soul into the sport and really dove into the “deep end” of the pool in 2003.

(HL) So, sum it all up for us.

(JH) The wisdom—if you want to call it that—from guys like Wally Hennessey and Marcel Barrieau…you can’t buy wisdom like that…It’s Harvard for guys like me. Getting one to the racetrack is not an easy task…schedule planning,,,training…grooming…making sure their “homes” (stalls) are perfect as possible…there might be a diet for each horse…And, of course, there are veterinarians and farriers and racing officials with whom to deal. It’s a never-ending commitment…But when they give you their best in a race in which they are competing…well, there’s no words great enough for that. Winning never gets old!

(HL) Thanks for your insight, John Hallett. Looking forward to your next winner.

by John Berry, for Harnesslink