Santa Anita Hero John Shear to Be Released from Hospital

Local hero and longtime paddock guard John Shear is headed home Saturday after a more than month-long stay at Huntington Memorial Hospital in Pasadena.

The 90-year-old Shear made national headlines on March 12 for his heroics at Santa Anita when he risked his life to save a 6-year-old girl from a runaway horse that had escaped from his handler.

Sea and Sage, a 3-year-old gelding, was in the walking ring with nine other horses just before the third race of the day when he broke free from his handler and began sprinting towards an opening Shear was guarding.

Shear cut off the horse and threw himself in front of the young girl who likely would have been trampled if the horse had continued on his path. Neither the girl nor the horse suffered any injuries thanks to Shear’s bravery, which has been recognized throughout the country but perhaps most famously in this powerful salute by Los Angeles Times sports columnist Bill Plaschke.

Pete Siberell, Santa Anita Park’s community and special events coordinator, told Patch that the race track had hoped to honor Shear as Employee of the Meet this weekend but they decided against it due to his health status. Instead, Santa Anita will inform its Sunday spectators that Shear will accept the award in person during the Santa Anita Fall Meet.

“We are obviously very proud of John but don't want to push things too much, given all he has gone through,” Siberell said.

Shear, a Sierra Madre resident who has been employed by Arcadia’s great race place since 1961, suffered internal bleeding and multiple broken bones in the March incident. His son, Michael, said doctors have been amazed at the progress he’s made.

“My dad wishes to thank you all for your prayers, generosity, and well wishes,” said the younger Shear in a statement released Thursday by Santa Anita.  “It has been a tremendous strength to him over these past difficult weeks."

Shear will continue physical therapy at home, his son said.