John Johnstone
1881-1935
1881-1935
Scottish amateur rider John Johnstone was born on March 31, 1881. He rode 25 winners under National Hunt rules between 1913 and 1931 including a treble at Dumfriesshire Hunt, his local meeting.
Scottish amateur rider John Johnstone was born on March 31, 1881. He rode 25 winners under National Hunt rules between 1913 and 1931 including a treble at Dumfriesshire Hunt, his local meeting.
He appeared for the first time under NH rules when finishing second, beaten 20 lengths, on Black Spider in the two-mile Maiden Chase at Dumfriesshire Hunt on April 3, 1909. He rode his first winner on 7-1 chance Hobbinol in the Eglinton Hunt National Hunt Flat Race at Ayr on September 18, 1913. The following year he rode Hobbinol to finish fourth in the Cotswold National Hunt Flat Race, which then formed part of Cheltenham’s National Hunt Meeting.
He appeared for the first time under NH rules when finishing second, beaten 20 lengths, on Black Spider in the two-mile Maiden Chase at Dumfriesshire Hunt on April 3, 1909. He rode his first winner on 7-1 chance Hobbinol in the Eglinton Hunt National Hunt Flat Race at Ayr on September 18, 1913. The following year he rode Hobbinol to finish fourth in the Cotswold National Hunt Flat Race, which then formed part of Cheltenham’s National Hunt Meeting.
On April 11, 1914, at Dumfriesshire Hunt, the corresponding fixture where he had made his NH debut five years earlier, John recorded a treble on Daily Bread in the Maiden Chase, Hobbinol in the United Hunts Cup, and Miss Marjorie in the Kinmount Chase.
On April 11, 1914, at Dumfriesshire Hunt, the corresponding fixture where he had made his NH debut five years earlier, John recorded a treble on Daily Bread in the Maiden Chase, Hobbinol in the United Hunts Cup, and Miss Marjorie in the Kinmount Chase.
Those two years, 1913 and 1914, were numerically his most successful under NH rules with five wins in each. Further success was then curtailed by the outbreak of World War One.
Those two years, 1913 and 1914, were numerically his most successful under NH rules with five wins in each. Further success was then curtailed by the outbreak of World War One.
He continued to ride in races during the 1920s, achieving four wins in 1927/28 and three in 1928/29. He employed former National Hunt jockey Ernie Davey as his private trainer and finished fourth on Rathpatrick in the 1929 Foxhunters’ Challenge Cup at Cheltenham.
He continued to ride in races during the 1920s, achieving four wins in 1927/28 and three in 1928/29. He employed former National Hunt jockey Ernie Davey as his private trainer and finished fourth on Rathpatrick in the 1929 Foxhunters’ Challenge Cup at Cheltenham.
His last success was on Miller, trained by Davey, in the Berrymoss Corinthian Handicap Hurdle at Kelso on May 6, 1931. Miller was also his farewell mount when failing to finish in Kelso’s Caverton Handicap Hurdle on October 10, 1931.
His last success was on Miller, trained by Davey, in the Berrymoss Corinthian Handicap Hurdle at Kelso on May 6, 1931. Miller was also his farewell mount when failing to finish in Kelso’s Caverton Handicap Hurdle on October 10, 1931.
John Johnstone died on March 13, 1935, aged 54.
John Johnstone died on March 13, 1935, aged 54.
As for Ernie Davey, having continued to train for John Johnstone until 1933, he eventually settled in Malton, Yorkshire, from where he trained until 1974, his many successes including an Ayr Gold Cup, four Brocklesby Stakes and three Epsom Spring Handicaps.
As for Ernie Davey, having continued to train for John Johnstone until 1933, he eventually settled in Malton, Yorkshire, from where he trained until 1974, his many successes including an Ayr Gold Cup, four Brocklesby Stakes and three Epsom Spring Handicaps.
