In 2011, at the age of 88, Jack Carmichael is currently the oldest professional trainer in the country. Compulsorily retired from race driving in 1988 at age 65, Jack Carmichael has had a lengthy and illustrious career in harness racing.
Jack Carmichael came from a family where his father Andrew and brother Alf trained horses they themselves owned. In 1939 he travelled to Christchurch to commence working for Wes Butt. He started out by riding in saddle races on the West Coast circuit in 1940. His first success came with Dawn Grattan at the Westland Trotting Club's meeting on March 21, 1942.
Following marriage to Dorothy, a farm property where he grew potatoes and then raised pigs and milked cows was acquired prior to his commencing the training of horses.
Jack Carmichael was No.1 driver for Prebbleton trainer Des Grice after Bob Young died. He was known as a very competent horseman, who was considered one of the best tactical drivers in the country. He totalled in excess of 700 driving victories together with 330 training successes.
Among some of the better horses prepared and/or driven by Jack Carmichael were Chequer Board, Rocky Star, Hindu Star, Glen Moira, Micron, Astralight, 1973 NZ Cup winner Globe Bay and Interdominion Trotting Champions Precocious (1975) and Yankee Loch (1989),
In the administrative field, Jack Carmichael put in many years on the committee of the Trainers and Drivers Association as well as being associated with the Owners and Trainers Association running trial meetings at Addington.
Jack Carmichael was inducted into the Addington Hall of Fame in 2006. His continued training of horses just goes to prove his staying powers in the industry.