Johnston relieved to finally break Hannon’s British wins record
TRAINER Mark Johnston claimed a record-breaking 4194th career victory in Britain after Poet’s Society won at York.
The Middleham handler has been prolific for many years and his latest success has seen him overtake Richard Hannon snr as Britain’s winning-most trainer.
Ridden by Frankie Dettori, Poet’s Society was sent off at 20-1 for the Clipper Logistics Handicap and got home by a neck from 5-1 joint-favourite Kynren.
Johnston had been on the brink of the record for a while, and was delighted to finally get over the line. He said: “It’s been very frustrating, but it’s not as if we’ve had loads of odds-on shots beat.
“Relief is the main thing I’m feeling – it’s out the way now and on to the next one.
“If you could have had the perfect result it would have been Joe Fanning on board, but, as we were saying earlier, because it was Frankie no one will forget it.”
Born in Glasgow, Johnston, 58, is a qualified vet and having married childhood sweetheart Deirdre in 1985, he took out his trainer’s licence in March 1987, saddling his first winner in July that year, when Hinari Video won at Carlisle.
His first Group-race winner came through Marina Park in the Princess Margaret Stakes at Ascot in 1992 and many big-race successes have followed, including three wins in the Ascot Gold Cup courtesy of Double Trigger and dual victor Royal Rebel.
Classic glory has been achieved with Mister Baileys in the 2000 Guineas and Attraction in the 1000 Guineas, while he currently boasts 43 Royal Ascot triumphs.
He added: “I started small. It was just one winner at a time and with horses like this. That was his sixth win of the year.
“This horse epitomises what we’re all about – I think he’s won about nine races now.”