Ernie Johnson
The son of a coach painter, Ernest Johnson was born in Sunderland on January 9th,1948. His mother was Greek; his uncle was a champion jockey in Greece.
The son of a coach painter, Ernest Johnson was born in Sunderland on January 9th,1948. His mother was Greek; his uncle was a champion jockey in Greece.
When his parents went to live in Cirencester, Ernie worked at a local riding school before becoming apprenticed at Kingsclere. He was given a Greek name.
When his parents went to live in Cirencester, Ernie worked at a local riding school before becoming apprenticed at Kingsclere. He was given a Greek name.
Ernie's height was 5 ft 1 inch.
Ernie's height was 5 ft 1 inch.
He set out to be a jockey at the Kingsclere stable of Captain Peter Hastings-Bass; however, when Hastings-Bass died in 1964, his indentures were transferred to the new trainer, Ian Balding.
He set out to be a jockey at the Kingsclere stable of Captain Peter Hastings-Bass; however, when Hastings-Bass died in 1964, his indentures were transferred to the new trainer, Ian Balding.
His first winner was Abel at York on May 18, 1965.
His first winner was Abel at York on May 18, 1965.
Just two years later, Johnson was champion apprentice with 39 winners, and one of the best lightweights in the country. One of his wins that year had come on Ovaltine in the Ebor Handicap.
Just two years later, Johnson was champion apprentice with 39 winners, and one of the best lightweights in the country. One of his wins that year had come on Ovaltine in the Ebor Handicap.
Ian Balding was of the opinion that Johnson would not get enough riding opportunities at Kingsclere and it was agreed that his indentures should be passed on to Sam Hall in Middleham.
Ian Balding was of the opinion that Johnson would not get enough riding opportunities at Kingsclere and it was agreed that his indentures should be passed on to Sam Hall in Middleham.
It proved a good moved for Johnson. In 1969 he was given the ride on Blakeney in the Epsom Derby. He rose magnificently to the occasion, winning by a length. In 1972 he almost made it a double, losing out by a short head on Rheingold to Roberto, ridden by an unstoppable Lester Piggott.
It proved a good moved for Johnson. In 1969 he was given the ride on Blakeney in the Epsom Derby. He rose magnificently to the occasion, winning by a length. In 1972 he almost made it a double, losing out by a short head on Rheingold to Roberto, ridden by an unstoppable Lester Piggott.
Johnson was now riding for Barry Hills, the trainer of Rheingold. He rode some good winners for the stable, notably Enstone Spark (1,000 Guineas, 1978), Proverb (Goodwood Cup) and Princess of Man (Musidora Stakes), yet, despite this success, he was constantly replaced with 'big-name' jockeys and eventually he left.
Johnson was now riding for Barry Hills, the trainer of Rheingold. He rode some good winners for the stable, notably Enstone Spark (1,000 Guineas, 1978), Proverb (Goodwood Cup) and Princess of Man (Musidora Stakes), yet, despite this success, he was constantly replaced with 'big-name' jockeys and eventually he left.
On August 26, 1977, he took a terrible fall from Courjet at Newmarket when being thrown into an out-of-use starting gate. He received multiple fractures of the leg and shoulder injuries which put him out of action for many months.
On August 26, 1977, he took a terrible fall from Courjet at Newmarket when being thrown into an out-of-use starting gate. He received multiple fractures of the leg and shoulder injuries which put him out of action for many months.
His best season, numerically, came in 1978 with 86 winners. Good races he won included the Ebor again in 1968 on Alignment, Cesarewitch (Boismoss), Portland Handicap (Gold Pollen), Middle Park (Huntercombe), Ayr Gold Cup (Blue Cashmere), Chester Cup (Super Nova) and the Stewards' Cup (Jimmy the Singer).
His best season, numerically, came in 1978 with 86 winners. Good races he won included the Ebor again in 1968 on Alignment, Cesarewitch (Boismoss), Portland Handicap (Gold Pollen), Middle Park (Huntercombe), Ayr Gold Cup (Blue Cashmere), Chester Cup (Super Nova) and the Stewards' Cup (Jimmy the Singer).
In September 1974, he completed the feat of riding at least one winner on every racecourse in Britain.
In September 1974, he completed the feat of riding at least one winner on every racecourse in Britain.
A thoroughly underestimated jockey, he took a job in Ireland when opportunities dried up in England. He stayed a few months only before leaving to ride in the Far East.
A thoroughly underestimated jockey, he took a job in Ireland when opportunities dried up in England. He stayed a few months only before leaving to ride in the Far East.
Classic winners:
Classic winners:
Derby: Blakeney (1969)
Derby: Blakeney (1969)
One Thousand Guineas: Enstone Spark (1978)
One Thousand Guineas: Enstone Spark (1978)
Other big winners:
Other big winners:
1966: Vaux Gold Tankard – Salvo
1966: Vaux Gold Tankard – Salvo
1967: Ebor Handicap – Ovaltine
1967: Ebor Handicap – Ovaltine
1967: Cesarewitch Handicap – Boismoss
1967: Cesarewitch Handicap – Boismoss
1968: Free Handicap – Panpiper
1968: Free Handicap – Panpiper
1968: Cumberland Plate – Alignment
1968: Cumberland Plate – Alignment
1968: Andy Capp Handicap – Hamood
1968: Andy Capp Handicap – Hamood
1968: Ebor Handicap – Alignment
1968: Ebor Handicap – Alignment
1968: Portland Handicap – Gold Pollen
1968: Portland Handicap – Gold Pollen
1969: Bessborough Stakes – Pharaoh Hophra
1969: Bessborough Stakes – Pharaoh Hophra
1969: Old Newton Cup – Pharaoh Hophra
1969: Old Newton Cup – Pharaoh Hophra
1969: Carlisle Bell – Fragrant Rose
1969: Carlisle Bell – Fragrant Rose
1969: Park Hill Stakes – Aggravate
1969: Park Hill Stakes – Aggravate
1969: Doonside Cup – Nedda
1969: Doonside Cup – Nedda
1969: Middle Park Stakes – Huntercombe
1969: Middle Park Stakes – Huntercombe
1970: Great Metropolitan Handicap – Hickleton
1970: Great Metropolitan Handicap – Hickleton
1970: Ormonde Stakes – Blakeney
1970: Ormonde Stakes – Blakeney
1970: Great St Wilfrid Handicap – Bream
1970: Great St Wilfrid Handicap – Bream
1971: Usher-Vaux Brewery Gold Tankard – Londesborough Boy
1971: Usher-Vaux Brewery Gold Tankard – Londesborough Boy
1971: Zetland Gold Cup – Lady Lowndes
1971: Zetland Gold Cup – Lady Lowndes
1971: Northern Goldsmith’s Handicap – Good Bond
1971: Northern Goldsmith’s Handicap – Good Bond
1972: Dee Stakes – Our Mirage
1972: Dee Stakes – Our Mirage
1972: Dante Stakes – Rheingold
1972: Dante Stakes – Rheingold
1973: Chester Vase – Proverb
1973: Chester Vase – Proverb
1973: Zetland Gold Cup – Peleid
1973: Zetland Gold Cup – Peleid
1973: Goodwood Cup – Proverb
1973: Goodwood Cup – Proverb
1973: Ayr Gold Cup – Blue Cashmere
1973: Ayr Gold Cup – Blue Cashmere
1974: Thirsk Classic Trial – Dragonara Palace
1974: Thirsk Classic Trial – Dragonara Palace
1974: Andy Capp Handicap – Evvia
1974: Andy Capp Handicap – Evvia
1975: Chester Cup – Super Nova
1975: Chester Cup – Super Nova
1975: Carlisle Bell – Confluence
1975: Carlisle Bell – Confluence
1975: Cumberland Plate – Mister Geoffrey
1975: Cumberland Plate – Mister Geoffrey
1976: Stewards Cup – Jimmy The Singer
1976: Stewards Cup – Jimmy The Singer
1977: Ascot Stakes – Matinale
1977: Ascot Stakes – Matinale
1979: Vaux Gold Tankard – Vicomte
1979: Vaux Gold Tankard – Vicomte
1980: Bunbury Cup – Steeple Bell
1980: Bunbury Cup – Steeple Bell
1981: Thirsk Hunt Cup – Norfolk Realm
1981: Thirsk Hunt Cup – Norfolk Realm
1982: Carlisle Bell – Silleys Knight
1982: Carlisle Bell – Silleys Knight
1983: Thirsk Hunt Cup – Wibis Range
1983: Thirsk Hunt Cup – Wibis Range
1984: Great Metropolitan Handicap – Cheka
1984: Great Metropolitan Handicap – Cheka
1991: Northumberland Plate – Tamarpour
1991: Northumberland Plate – Tamarpour