Tizzard salutes ‘phenomenal’ Johnson after shock retirement

Colin Tizzard and Noel Chance, who provided Richard Johnson with his two victories in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, paid tribute to the fourtime champion jockey following his retirement from the saddle.

The 43-year-old announced his unexpected decision after riding at Newton Abbot on Saturday - calling time on a glittering career spanning almost three decades.

Johnson and the Tizzard trained Native River proved a match made in heaven - winning an epic Gold Cup in 2018 as well as finishing third in the blue riband in 2017, fourth in 2019 and fourth again last month.

Tizzard, who will shortly hand over the training licence at Venn Farm to son Joe, cannot speak highly enough of Johnson's talent and determination to succeed.

He said: "I'm just glad he's got out in one piece. He's been phenomenal. He's been a complete professional on and off horses and an example for any jockey coming through.

"When the opportunity came for him to ride Native River, it was like poetry in motion. They gelled together - him and that horse are like each other and achieved things we never thought possible.

"His work ethic is incredible and he's just a good man."

Johnson's second Gold Cup success came 18 years after his first, with Looks Like Trouble claiming victory in 2000.

Seven years later he went on to marry trainer Noel Chance's daughter, with whom he now has three children. Chance said: "We were sort of expecting something to happen for the last couple of weeks.

"I think he's already said that if Native River had won the Gold Cup he'd have gone out on him, but once that didn't happen, he really wanted to go out on one for Philip Hobbs. You could still be at it a month down the line and when your mind is made up, you've just got to do it."

After being runner-up to Sir Anthony Mccoy on several occasions, Johnson finally became the champion National Hunt jockey for the first time in 2016 - a title he successfully defended for the following three years before Brian Hughes claimed the crown last season.

Hughes said: "It's definitely the end of an era. I've known Richard since I've been in this country. He went out on his own terms and I wish him and his family all the best for the next chapter.”