SHOCK AS JOHNSON RETIRES
RICHARD JOHNSON stunned the racing world as the four-time champion jump jockey retired with immediate effect after riding at Newton Abbot yesterday.
The popular 43-year-old’s shock announcement brought to an end a career that spanned more than a quarter of a century and yielded 3,824 successes – a total bettered only by Sir AP Mccoy.
“That’s it for me,” said a tearful Johnson after dismounting from Brother Tedd, trained by his boss Philip Hobbs, and the last of six winnerless mounts at the Devon course.
“I’ve had an amazing time, but it’s the right time for me to stop.
“It was particularly important for me to finish on one for Philip and Sarah who, like Henry Daly, have supported me for over 20 years. I’ll never be able to articulate what their loyalty has meant to me.
“I’ve been so lucky to have ridden so many wonderful horses, and for so many incredible trainers and owners.
“I love doing it and it’s given me so much pleasure for a long time. I’ve achieved an awful lot more than I’ve ever dreamt of.” Hereford-born Johnson joined David Nicholson’s stable upon leaving school at 16, going on to the conditional jockeys’ title in 1995-96.
Twice a Cheltenham Gold Cup hero, aboard Looks Like Trouble – saddled by his future father-in-law Noel Chance – in 2000 and Native River in 2018, he finished second to 20-time champion Mccoy no fewer than 16 times in the title race.
Following his friend and rival’s retirement in April 2015, Johnson received the crown at Sandown Park’s Jumps Finale a year later, topping the table a further three times before finishing second to Brian Hughes last season. “The day at Sandown, the first time, was the best point of my career – and I’ve had lots of highs,” added Johnson, a 23-time Cheltenham Festival victor who was awarded the OBE in 2019.
Leading the tributes, Mccoy said: “Sometimes those who challenge us the most teach us the best – you did both to me for over 20 years.
“When you go home tonight, look in the mirror – you’ll see what a champion looks like.
“Enjoy your retirement!”