Brother Dan Stafford: Royal Randwick’s racing chaplain reaches his finish line

With 20 years as Sydney’s Catholic chaplain, there’s few who could argue that Brother Dan Stafford has run a good race. Now the 82-year-old is finally leaving the job he loves.

The Sydney racing industry has farewelled its chief religious race raconteur with the retirement of Brother Dan Stafford this weekend.

The 82 year-old Redemptrist Brother, trackside veteran and a well-loved industry insider retired on Saturday after a 20-year punt as Sydney’s Catholic racing chaplain.

Br Stafford was appointed a board member of the Australian Racing Christian Chaplaincy and as Sydney’s Catholic racing chaplain in 2000 after previously serving as a racing chaplain in WA and Melbourne in the 80s and 90s.

But he said he “never thought” he would end up combining his love of church and turf when he was ordained in Brisbane in 1958.

Brother Dan gets up close with previous Everest champ Redzel during his duties conducting the annual blessing of the stables. Picture: Facebook

“When I took my final vows 52 years ago and entered my religious background, I thought my racing days were over,” Br Stafford said.

“Little did I realise or know years later I’d end up in Sydney as an ARCC chaplain.”

Br Stafford’s contribution to the racing community has included everything from blessing stables and cheering on his favourite horses Tulloch and Winx to raising priceless amounts for the homeless through charity events and providing the racing community with crucial emotional and spiritual support.

He said while earning an Order of Australia medal in 2013 and becoming a lifetime member of the Australian Turf Club on his 80th birthday were “happy” achievements, he was most proud of his work helping the racing family “from top to bottom”.

“Racing is in reality exciting and enjoyable but at times deadly and harrowing …. One of my hardest days was (jockey) Nathan Berry’s funeral in 2014, it was such a sad day,” Br Stafford said.

Brother Dan Stafford with Bart Cummings’ horse Frightening at Saintly Lodge in Flemington in 2014. Picture: Kelly Barnes

“But my job was always to be there, when one’s invited by a person into their own inner thoughts and inner struggles, whether it be for a death, addiction or other matters.”

ARCC National Anglican Chaplain Reverend Colin Watts congratulated Brother Dan on his retirement after 11 years working side-by-side with him at funerals, mass and other church commitments.

“People are surprised to learn racing has chaplains … but it’s hard to sum up in a short sentence what Brother Dan has done (for racing), he’s very highly valued from the stablehands to the jockeys and trainers to the horse owners themselves,” Rev Watts said.

Brother Dan Stafford (centre) with his replacement father Thomas Stevens (left) and Reverend Colin Watts at Randwick Racecourse. Picture:Justin Lloyd.

“Similarly it’s unusual to see Catholic and Anglican chaplains like Brother Dan and I working together, it’s very unique but it’s important to break down that barrier between denominations.”