By Duane Ranger (courtesy of Redcliffe Paceway)
David ‘John’ Niemann – the ‘big race’ driver, and the man who steered champion pacer, Lucky Creed, during the latter part of his career, has passed away aged 74.
Mr Niemann, known as ‘John’, died at the Caboolture Aged Care Hospital on Friday June 2.
His death had an effect on many people within the harness racing industry, and none more so than his pony club mate of the mid-1960s, Kerry Ebert.
So, it was only fitting that his best mate of almost 60 years did the eulogy at Mr Niemann’s funeral held at the Traditional Funeral Chapel in Burpengary at 9.30am last Friday (June 16).
“John and I have had close contact since we hooked up pony club. He was the eldest of three boys to Manny and Joan Niemann. His brothers were Bill and Ian.
“In his early days John went to Hendra State School and then Brisbane Boys Grammar. His first job as an apprentice tradesman didn’t last too long,” Mr Ebert said.
He said Mr Niemann then started to show an interest in the trots and learnt the initial skills of training and driving through Irishman, Pat Sherry, who was based at Redcliffe.
“John’s first winner was behind a horse called King Creole in the mid-1960s. It didn’t take him long to become a very popular freelance driver,” Mr Ebert said.
Mr Niemann married Shirley Wanless in August 1970. Shirley now lives in Victoria. They had two sons Craig (Melbourne) and Brett (Sydney), who, along with both stayed on for Friday’s feature meeting at Redcliffe Paceway, after having the Wake in-course.
Mr Niemann also has nine grandchildren.
“John became close with the famed Wanless harness racing family. He was initially involved with the late Merv Wanless who trained and owned the champion pacer Lucky Creed. John drove that good horse in the later part of his career.
“he was also associated with Leigh (Wanless) at his Maryborough and Rockhampton properties, as well as Ron and Judy (Wanless) at their Showpiece Farm,” Mr Ebert said.
“Many high-class winners were produced from there,” he added.
Mr Wanless (83) attended Mr Niemann’s funeral.
When John took a spell from racing, he invested in a corner store and fish and chip shop. He then returned better than ever and was also an accomplished farrier.
He termed his mate as ‘quick-witted’.
“At Albion Park one night while the Steward accused him of leaving another driver three-wide for a long time. His reply was:
“’That’s because you had the video pause. That embarrassed the Steward, and no charges were laid,” Mr Ebert said.
He said in 1999 Mr Niemann met Debbie Fletcher and they settled down in Unit in Scarborough. But six years ago, Mr Niemann was diagnosed with dementia.
“Debbie nursed him until he underwent professional care at the Caboolture Aged Care Hospital. John showed his true courage with a longer than normal stay in palliative care. I’m sure he is now in the playground in the sky with all of his mates,” Mr Ebert said.
Meanwhile, Redcliffe Harness Racing Club President, Bernie Ring, described Mr Niemann as a ‘wonderful man, brilliant horseman, and big money driver’.
“He won some nice races over the years and was a regular at Redcliffe Paceway. He and Ronnie (Wanless) were a force to be reckoned with. I’ll personally never forget when he drove Lucky Creed.
“This is a very sad time for harness racing because John was not only a good man, but a very astute horseman and driver. I really enjoyed talking to his sons on-course on Friday. They too are quality humans like their Dad,” Ring said.
Some of his big wins included:
Lefty in the 1999 Qbred Final; Biaggi in the 1996 Kevin Seymour Nursery Pace Final; La Speranza 1996 Kay Seymour Nursery Pace Final; Tunga in the 1994 Rocklea Pot Of Gold Final; Bye Bye Castle in the 1984 Valley Plaza 4yo Final – trainer Ron Wanless.
The Vale John Niemann Pace was staged at Redcliffe Paceway on Thursday June 8. The 1,780m mobile was won by the Donny Smith trained and Matt Elkins driven Datsinahurri in race two.
Mr Niemann’s funeral Service was held in Burpengary, and he was buried at the Caboolture Lawn Cemetery in Deception Bay.
His wake was held at Redcliffe Paceway, and many of Mr Niemann’s family and friends (including his two sons) stayed on and enjoyed a great night’s record-breaking racing.
My review and preview for this week’s feature meeting at Redcliffe Paceway will appear here on Wednesday (June 21).
