Ian Johnson
Ian Ernest Johnson was born in Rugby on April 16, 1955. While still at school he spent his six weeks’ summer holiday at Roddy Armytage’s stable at East Ilsley. Then, on leaving school he became apprenticed to that acknowledged producer of jockeys Frenchie Nicholson at Cheltenham. At the time of his apprenticeship, Pat Eddery was in his last year there, while other young hopefuls included Richard Fox and Roger Wernham.
Ian Ernest Johnson was born in Rugby on April 16, 1955. While still at school he spent his six weeks’ summer holiday at Roddy Armytage’s stable at East Ilsley. Then, on leaving school he became apprenticed to that acknowledged producer of jockeys Frenchie Nicholson at Cheltenham. At the time of his apprenticeship, Pat Eddery was in his last year there, while other young hopefuls included Richard Fox and Roger Wernham.
By coincidence, Ian’s first winner was on a horse trained by Roddy Armytage, Hornbeak in the one-mile Jim Slater Challenge Trophy for apprentices at Warwick on June 9, 1973.
By coincidence, Ian’s first winner was on a horse trained by Roddy Armytage, Hornbeak in the one-mile Jim Slater Challenge Trophy for apprentices at Warwick on June 9, 1973.
In 1974, Ian came in for a winning ride on Port Magee for trainer Paddy Shortt in the Irish Cambridgeshire. When he arrived at the Curragh on the Saturday morning, he found the ground was atrocious and the stewards were debating whether they’d race at all. Luckily for Ian, racing went ahead and he was able to ride 25-1 shot Port Magee to win by 2½ lengths.
In 1974, Ian came in for a winning ride on Port Magee for trainer Paddy Shortt in the Irish Cambridgeshire. When he arrived at the Curragh on the Saturday morning, he found the ground was atrocious and the stewards were debating whether they’d race at all. Luckily for Ian, racing went ahead and he was able to ride 25-1 shot Port Magee to win by 2½ lengths.
The Curragh would prove to be a lucky course for Ian. Four of his first six visits to the headquarters of Irish racing resulted in victory.
The Curragh would prove to be a lucky course for Ian. Four of his first six visits to the headquarters of Irish racing resulted in victory.
In 1975 Ian rode 28 winners, including the Zetland Gold Cup on Record Run for Gavin Pritchard-Gordon. But the highlight of that season was his partnership with Dominion, trained by Arthur Budgett at Wantage. Following a 12-length win in a Kempton maiden, the combination finished third to Bolkonski and Grundy in the 2,000 Guineas. In addition, though still claiming the 5lb allowance, Ian kept the ride on Dominion for the Derby. Though outpaced, Dominion ran well to finish ninth behind Grundy.
In 1975 Ian rode 28 winners, including the Zetland Gold Cup on Record Run for Gavin Pritchard-Gordon. But the highlight of that season was his partnership with Dominion, trained by Arthur Budgett at Wantage. Following a 12-length win in a Kempton maiden, the combination finished third to Bolkonski and Grundy in the 2,000 Guineas. In addition, though still claiming the 5lb allowance, Ian kept the ride on Dominion for the Derby. Though outpaced, Dominion ran well to finish ninth behind Grundy.
However, 1975 ended on a sour note when he broke a leg in a schooling accident, a fall which sidelined him throughout the winter.
However, 1975 ended on a sour note when he broke a leg in a schooling accident, a fall which sidelined him throughout the winter.
He suffered an even worse fall in in 1978 when a two-year-old ducked under the rails with him at Kempton. Ian broke a leg in four places just below the knee and the muscle came out of the back of the leg. He came close to having the leg amputated at the knee and it took almost a year to put the damage right.
He suffered an even worse fall in in 1978 when a two-year-old ducked under the rails with him at Kempton. Ian broke a leg in four places just below the knee and the muscle came out of the back of the leg. He came close to having the leg amputated at the knee and it took almost a year to put the damage right.
When returning to action he rode as a freelance. Among those trainers to make use of his services were Charlie Nelson, John Yardley, Hugh O’Neill and Jocelyn Reavey. He spent several winters riding in Cagnes-dur-Mer and in Zimbabwe.
When returning to action he rode as a freelance. Among those trainers to make use of his services were Charlie Nelson, John Yardley, Hugh O’Neill and Jocelyn Reavey. He spent several winters riding in Cagnes-dur-Mer and in Zimbabwe.
He recorded a big race success on the 1988 Portland Handicap on Roman Prose for trainer Gerald Cottrell. Ironically, that same race 12 months later would bring an abrupt end to his career as a jockey.
He recorded a big race success on the 1988 Portland Handicap on Roman Prose for trainer Gerald Cottrell. Ironically, that same race 12 months later would bring an abrupt end to his career as a jockey.
Riding Pendor Dancer in the 1989 Portland Handicap, he was involved in a three-horse spill which resulted in him and fellow jockey Paul Cook receiving such severe injuries that neither one of them ever rode again.
Riding Pendor Dancer in the 1989 Portland Handicap, he was involved in a three-horse spill which resulted in him and fellow jockey Paul Cook receiving such severe injuries that neither one of them ever rode again.
Ian is the brother-in-law of former jockey Des Briscoe.
Ian is the brother-in-law of former jockey Des Briscoe.
Biggest wins
Biggest wins
1974: Irish Cambridgeshire – Port Magee
1974: Irish Cambridgeshire – Port Magee
1975: Zetland Gold Cup – Record Run
1975: Zetland Gold Cup – Record Run
1988: Portland Handicap – Roman Prose
1988: Portland Handicap – Roman Prose