Fab’s Cowboy’s farewell tour: Hulking horses don’t scare Bevan ‘Billy’ Johnson but planes do

Bush racing legend Fab’s Cowboy will head to Living Legends in Victoria in the coming months, but there is no way his trainer Bevan ‘Billy’ Johnson will be getting on a plane to go and see him.

Hulking racehorses don’t scare Fab’s Cowboy’s trainer Bevan ‘Billy’ Johnson – but planes do.

The bush trainer from outback Barcaldine has only flown twice in his life.

Despite his enduring love and tight bond with Queensland outback icon Fab’s Cowboy, there is no chance of Johnson getting on a plane to visit his great mate in Victoria after the horse arrives at Living Legends.

Fab’s Cowboy is set to make a road trip of more than 1800km to Victoria in the coming months, in a farewell tour where he will stop at various bush locations along the way.

But if Johnson wants to visit his horse in the coming years, flying to Melbourne isn’t an option.

“I’ve only flown twice in my life, once from Brisbane to Townsville when I was about 12 years old,” Johnson said.

Trainer Bevan ‘Billy’ Johnson and Fab's Cowboy on the bush champion's last race day at Longreach. Picture: Roxy Weston RLR Photography

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“And from Brisbane to Melbourne one time. I just don’t like it.

“As much as I love Fab’s, I won’t be getting on a plane to see him.

“Maybe I will drive down to see him if I can get some time, I’m not sure.”

Fab’s Cowboy didn’t add to his record-breaking 54 wins when having his 159th and final start on the Longreach dirt track on Saturday, finishing seventh and beaten 6.5 lengths.

But it wasn’t about winning – it was about giving the public a chance to farewell Fab’s Cowboy and making sure he got through his final race safe and sound.

Fab's Cowboy's part owner Paul Currin speaks with @bendorries76 two hours out from the grand warhorse's final race start.

Live vision of the race at Racenet: https://t.co/vRmVZU1yY1pic.twitter.com/17Lgfd9lu0

— Racenet (@RacenetTweets) July 27, 2024

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Living Legends boss Dr Andrew Clarke has plenty of Group 1 winners in his care at the home for retired champion horses.

But he says Fab’s Cowboy has more than earned his place among racing’s elite.

“This horse hasn’t won a Group 1, but he has got legendary status and an amazing story behind him and I think that’s the important thing,” Clarke said.

“He has won more races than any horse going around.

“He has won more races than most of our horses at Living Legends have started in.

“There’s a deep link between people and good horses.

“He may not be a champion up with the absolute superstars, but he is a bush champion and he is a legend in his own right.”

Fab’s Cowboy unplaced in his final start but the farewell party continues 🤠 🎂 @RacenetTweetspic.twitter.com/mkoqhhiMtX

— Ben Dorries (@bendorries76) July 27, 2024

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Clarke said it was likely Fab’s Cowboy would go into the ‘Legends Under Saddle” program which provided additional activity and exercise.

There were many options for the bush champion in retirement.

“He is not a ‘sit in a paddock’ kind of horse,” Clarke said.

Trainer Billy Johnson and @bendorries76 are on the way to Longreach with Fab's Cowboy for his last hurrah.

Live updates and vision: https://t.co/HPK8jnWhUkpic.twitter.com/NPyATqvmsp

— Racenet (@RacenetTweets) July 27, 2024

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“You never know, he might be able to be able to go off to shows and be a dressage sort of horse.

“I will follow up with the trainer this week and work out the timing of when he comes down here.

“Hopefully what we can do is set up a few stops along the way, a little bit like the Melbourne Cup tour, this would be Fab’s Cowboy’s tour.”

12 going on two! Fab's Cowboy gets a washdown from trainer Billy Johnson and jockey Dakota Graham ahead of his final race start this [e-mail]/bbbW0cAFsL

— Racenet (@RacenetTweets) July 27, 2024

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Fab’s Cowboy pulled up sound from his last race start and the only medical issue in the stable was Billy Johnson’s sore throat.

Johnson is normally a man of few words.

Wife Mel thinks his throat is probably sore from the dozens of media interviews he did during Fab’s Cowboy’s last week as a racehorse.

Originally published as Fab’s Cowboy’s farewell tour: Hulking horses don’t scare Bevan ‘Billy’ Johnson but planes do