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Chris Johnson
Chris Johnson
Born in 1945, Christopher George Johnson, hailed from Driffield, in Yorkshire. He was apprenticed to Sam Hall at Middleham and gained his first success, aged 17, on evens favourite Uhuru in the Lowther Apprentice Plate at Carlisle on July 4, 1963, taking the lead one furlong out and winning in a canter by six lengths.
Born in 1945, Christopher George Johnson, hailed from Driffield, in Yorkshire. He was apprenticed to Sam Hall at Middleham and gained his first success, aged 17, on evens favourite Uhuru in the Lowther Apprentice Plate at Carlisle on July 4, 1963, taking the lead one furlong out and winning in a canter by six lengths.
A second success followed the next month, having by then turned 18, achieved on 4/1 joint-favourite E.B.S. in the Oxclose Handicap at Catterick Bridge, beating Frankie Durr’s mount Comedy Boy by three-quarters of a length.
A second success followed the next month, having by then turned 18, achieved on 4/1 joint-favourite E.B.S. in the Oxclose Handicap at Catterick Bridge, beating Frankie Durr’s mount Comedy Boy by three-quarters of a length.
Those two wins, both for Sam Hall, came from 20 rides that season. He won three races from 27 mounts in 1964, beginning with a three-quarter length victory on another Sam Hall inmate, Touch Wood, in the Brettanby Handicap at Catterick on April 15, with perennial ‘Cock of the North’ Edward Hide in second place aboard the odds-on favourite Coliseum.
Those two wins, both for Sam Hall, came from 20 rides that season. He won three races from 27 mounts in 1964, beginning with a three-quarter length victory on another Sam Hall inmate, Touch Wood, in the Brettanby Handicap at Catterick on April 15, with perennial ‘Cock of the North’ Edward Hide in second place aboard the odds-on favourite Coliseum.
Next came an easy four-length success on 6/4 favourite Stevie Boy, owned by Ronald Fell and trained by Sam Hall, in the Blackhall Handicap at Carlisle on July 2; followed nine days later by an even more emphatic victory aboard 3/1 on favourite Bay King by eight lengths in the four-runner Ford Apprentice Maiden Stakes at Newcastle.
Next came an easy four-length success on 6/4 favourite Stevie Boy, owned by Ronald Fell and trained by Sam Hall, in the Blackhall Handicap at Carlisle on July 2; followed nine days later by an even more emphatic victory aboard 3/1 on favourite Bay King by eight lengths in the four-runner Ford Apprentice Maiden Stakes at Newcastle.
Chris had no more winners during the remainder of his apprenticeship. When that ended he took out a full jockey’s licence in 1969 but without success.
Chris had no more winners during the remainder of his apprenticeship. When that ended he took out a full jockey’s licence in 1969 but without success.
He finished second on his first ride of 1970 – the second day of the new Flat season – at Doncaster on the Tommy Fairhurst-trained Rosia Steps, beaten by Lester Piggott on the favourite Tin Guard.
He finished second on his first ride of 1970 – the second day of the new Flat season – at Doncaster on the Tommy Fairhurst-trained Rosia Steps, beaten by Lester Piggott on the favourite Tin Guard.
Next time out, at Newcastle on March 30, Rosia Steps appeared something of a ‘steering job’ and Chris duly guided the evens favourite to an all-the-way success by four lengths in the Longbenton Two-Year-Old Stakes.
Next time out, at Newcastle on March 30, Rosia Steps appeared something of a ‘steering job’ and Chris duly guided the evens favourite to an all-the-way success by four lengths in the Longbenton Two-Year-Old Stakes.
They were sent off at odds-on to follow up at Teesside Park 11 days later but could only finish second to Elsie’s Bow, trained by Mick Easterby and partnered by Johnny Seagrave.
They were sent off at odds-on to follow up at Teesside Park 11 days later but could only finish second to Elsie’s Bow, trained by Mick Easterby and partnered by Johnny Seagrave.
Chris relinquished his licence in July of that year.
Chris relinquished his licence in July of that year.
Chris Johnson’s winners were, in chronological order:
Chris Johnson’s winners were, in chronological order:
1. Uhuru, Carlisle, July 4, 1963
1. Uhuru, Carlisle, July 4, 1963
2. E.B.S., Catterick Bridge, August 14, 1963
2. E.B.S., Catterick Bridge, August 14, 1963
3. Touch Wood, Catterick Bridge, April 15, 1964
3. Touch Wood, Catterick Bridge, April 15, 1964
4. Stevie Boy, Carlisle, July 2, 1964
4. Stevie Boy, Carlisle, July 2, 1964
5. Bay King, Newcastle, July 11, 1964
5. Bay King, Newcastle, July 11, 1964
6. Rosia Steps, Newcastle, March 30, 1970
6. Rosia Steps, Newcastle, March 30, 1970
Chris Johnson'd final winner, Rosia Steps, Newcastle, March 30, 1970
Chris Johnson'd final winner, Rosia Steps, Newcastle, March 30, 1970
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