The man who took care of Legal Light
Meet vet Dr John Masterton
Renowned veterinarian dr John Masterton was honoured for his longtime and outstanding contribution to veterinary medicine in Jamaica especially with horses at Caymanas Park and on the various breeding farms across the island. A race was named in honour of dr Masterton on the world Veterinary day programme at Caymanas Park, on Saturday, April 30, 2022.
Dr Masterton, aged 93, did not limit his involvement in the racing industry to just his veterinary services, he was also a steward, an owner, and simply, a lover of horses.
“I once owned a horse by the name of Delilah, and while she was not one of the great horses, on one occasion she won under the guidance of immortal English super jockey Lester Piggott. For me, that was special.
“Then there was the great Legal Light,
an incomparable racer, who I looked after from his early days to the end of his superb racing career.
“And, after Legal Light retired, I took him on my farm to care for him, he deserved it,” Dr Masterton shared with the Supreme Racing Guide.
Earlier in his career, “Doc” was an accomplished polo player and show jumping horseman who took Jamaica to the final of a polo tournament in England which has never been done since.
Dr Masterton was an innovator, who was instrumental in spearheading the building of an equine surgical facility at Caymanas Park in the 1970s. He also spearheaded the techniques of acupuncture.
Dr Masterton began his early education at de Carteret College and then moved to Jamaica College before going off to be schooled in England. While in England, the Second World War interrupted his studies and he went to Canada to study at the Ontario Veterinary College and became a vet in 1952.
“I was also a member of the team of veterinarians who would visit stud farms islandwide to assess and select the top yearlings for the annual Yearling Sale,” Dr Masterton said.
He was one of the first to pioneer the standing castration of horses, which, according to Dr Masterton, “caused less stress on the horses. This was done on small and large animals.”
Dr Masterton was also involved in Carlo Products and, helped to develop many of the household products we take for granted nowadays – such as wound oil, wound powder, screw worm, Pyro, and more recently the nature-organic products.
He was conferred with the Order of Distinction (Officer Class) in recognition of his many accomplishments and service to the people and animals of Jamaica.