Sports · Other Sports · 2 hrs ago
Former Carlton players join racing syndicates linked to John Barker
Former Carlton assistant coach John Barker has brought current and former Blues into horse-racing syndicates managed by him.
Barker reconnected in Bali with Ozzie Kheir, a successful racehorse owner he knew from school.
Kheir had kept racing opportunities exclusive, and Barker had long wanted to share in one of his horses.
Barker drew on his Carlton connections, including captain Patrick Cripps, to make the case.
The Baggers Naggers syndicate has a share in Birdman, a leading contender for the Cox Plate.
A smaller group also bought into James J Braddock, who is the fourth favourite for the Melbourne Cup, with both races part of the spring carnival at Flemington.
Former Carlton players have joined racing syndicates managed by former Carlton assistant coach John Barker.
The Baggers Naggers syndicate has a share in Cox Plate contender Birdman.
A smaller group, Baggers Five, has bought a share in Melbourne Cup runner James J Braddock.
The syndicates also include former Carlton captains Chris Judd, Marc Murphy and Sam Docherty, as well as other current and former Blues.
Barker’s connection with prominent racehorse owner Ozzie Kheir began at school and was renewed during a chance meeting in Bali.
- Who
- Former Carlton players, John Barker and racehorse owner Ozzie Kheir.
- What
- Former Blues have joined syndicates with shares in Birdman and James J Braddock.
- When
- The story was published on October 22, 2026. Barker and Kheir reconnected in Bali two years earlier.
- Where
- The horses are set to race at Flemington.
- Why
- Barker wanted to race horses with Kheir, whose ownership and racing connections gave him a way into syndicates.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Barker and Kheir were promising footballers at St Joseph’s College in North Melbourne.
Barker and Kheir reconnected while holidaying separately in Bali.
The SMH published an account of the former Carlton players’ involvement in racing syndicates.
- Baggers Naggers
- Syndicate managed by John Barker; has a share in Birdman
- Birdman
- Leading Cox Plate contender trained by Chris Waller
- Baggers Five
- Smaller syndicate that bought a share in James J Braddock
- James J Braddock
- English raider and fourth favourite for the Melbourne Cup
- Barker
- Played 168 AFL games and was a Carlton assistant coach for 11 years
What people are saying
I was a colt that needed to be gelded
Over a few cocktails, we just had a bit of a chat, and you know, I’d always admired him from afar in terms of his ability to get his hands on really good horses
I just asked him whether there were any opportunities in any of his horses or any syndications with horses, and he said it was a bit of a closed book