David Johnstone
David Johnstone began his racing career as an apprentice with Sam Armstrong at St Gatien Stables in Newmarket. After several near misses he finally rode his first winner on Profit From Print for Wigton trainer John Dixon in the Champion Apprentice Handicap.at Carlisle on Thursday, August 29, 1957. The following month he landed the Lyme Park Nursery Handicap at Haydock on Joy’s Delight for Warwick trainer Arthur Thomas. He finished the season with three wins from 110 mounts.
David Johnstone began his racing career as an apprentice with Sam Armstrong at St Gatien Stables in Newmarket. After several near misses he finally rode his first winner on Profit From Print for Wigton trainer John Dixon in the Champion Apprentice Handicap.at Carlisle on Thursday, August 29, 1957. The following month he landed the Lyme Park Nursery Handicap at Haydock on Joy’s Delight for Warwick trainer Arthur Thomas. He finished the season with three wins from 110 mounts.
He enjoyed by far his best year in 1958, winning ten races from 161 rides. They included the Liverpool Spring Cup on Amos for Syd Mercer and Chepstow’s Welsh Hunt Cup on the Frank Hudson-trained Mardis.
He enjoyed by far his best year in 1958, winning ten races from 161 rides. They included the Liverpool Spring Cup on Amos for Syd Mercer and Chepstow’s Welsh Hunt Cup on the Frank Hudson-trained Mardis.
Thereafter, however, his tally of wins dropped to just one in 1959 and two in 1960. His indentures were transferred to Compton trainer Atty Corbett in February 1961. David rode four winners that year and the same number in 1962. Two of those 1962 victories were gained on Scots Fusilier at Brighton, comprising the Eastbourne Handicap in May and a ‘made all’ success in the Brighton Sprint Handicap in August, a photo of which appeared on the front page of the next day’s Sporting Life.
Thereafter, however, his tally of wins dropped to just one in 1959 and two in 1960. His indentures were transferred to Compton trainer Atty Corbett in February 1961. David rode four winners that year and the same number in 1962. Two of those 1962 victories were gained on Scots Fusilier at Brighton, comprising the Eastbourne Handicap in May and a ‘made all’ success in the Brighton Sprint Handicap in August, a photo of which appeared on the front page of the next day’s Sporting Life.
David completed his apprenticeship the following year with 24 winners to his name. He remained with Atty Corbett – who was by then training at Newmarket – as a work rider. He took out a professional jockey’s licence in 1969 and rode one winner from 21 mounts, that being on Karak in the Rubbing House Maiden Stakes at Newmarket on August 8, 1969. He did not renew his licence the following year.
David completed his apprenticeship the following year with 24 winners to his name. He remained with Atty Corbett – who was by then training at Newmarket – as a work rider. He took out a professional jockey’s licence in 1969 and rode one winner from 21 mounts, that being on Karak in the Rubbing House Maiden Stakes at Newmarket on August 8, 1969. He did not renew his licence the following year.
Biggest winners:
Biggest winners:
1958: Liverpool Spring Cup – Amos
1958: Liverpool Spring Cup – Amos
1958: Welsh Hunt Cup – Mardis
1958: Welsh Hunt Cup – Mardis
1962: Brighton Sprint Handicap – Scots Fusilier
1962: Brighton Sprint Handicap – Scots Fusilier