Dickie shows just why he’s a champion

CHAMPION jockey and Chepstow ambassador Richard Johnson has ridden thousands of winners, but Friday’s victory aboard Court Duty at Newton Abbot will probably last longer in his memory than most.

The horse in question is trained near Bridgend by John Flint.

Court Duty had won his previous outing at Uttoxeter and everything looked set for another victory at Newton Abbot as horse and jockey headed towards the last fence with a comfortable lead.

Then drama struck as Court Duty made an horrendous mistake and ploughed straight through the fence. Johnson was thrown to the back end of the horse, clinging on desperately to keep the partnership intact. How he stayed on is anyone’s guess.

But somehow he did manage to stay in the saddle and then rousted his mount on the run-in to hold on for victory from Templepark.

That is why Richard Johnson is champion jockey.

For trainer Flint, Court Duty’s win was the start of a great day. He won another race on the card with hurdler Khismet and then Arabella Tucker, a key member of the team at his yard, won the charity race in aid of Racing Welfare.

An eventful, successful and memorable day all wrapped up in one for Team Flint.

On Sunday, amateur Welsh jockey Isabel Williams, daughter of Vale of Glamorgan trainer Evan Williams, continued her rise up the ranks with a win at Market Rasen aboard Native Fighter for trainer Jedd O’Keeffe.

Another Welsh amateur rider in the news is teenager Jessica Llewellyn. She won the Ladies’ Derby at Epsom last week on Nabhan, trained by Bernard Llewellyn and owned by Welsh businessmen Alex James and Gethyn Mills.

The next race meeting at Ffos Las is this Friday when it is Elvis Race Night. One of the UK’s best tribute acts, Suspiciously Elvis and his band, perform live after racing. There are six races, starting at 6.10pm. Tickets are £20 in advance and £25 on the night. Car parking is free.

There’s another meeting on Monday, July 29, when admission is free providing tickets are booked in advance.