Kenny Johnson
Photo courtesy of Mary Pitt
Photo courtesy of Mary Pitt
Article by Chris Pitt
Article by Chris Pitt
Kenny Johnson, stalwart of the northern jumps jockeys for more than 25 years, saddled his first winner as a trainer when Rosquero sprang a 20-1 surprise at Newcastle on February 3, 2016.
Kenny Johnson, stalwart of the northern jumps jockeys for more than 25 years, saddled his first winner as a trainer when Rosquero sprang a 20-1 surprise at Newcastle on February 3, 2016.
Kenny was born on December 7, 1968, the son of Bob Johnson, a wholesale butcher by trade, who trained a string of jumpers at Newburn, on the outskirts of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, having graduated from training ‘flappers’ and point-to-pointers before setting up under Rules.
Kenny was born on December 7, 1968, the son of Bob Johnson, a wholesale butcher by trade, who trained a string of jumpers at Newburn, on the outskirts of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, having graduated from training ‘flappers’ and point-to-pointers before setting up under Rules.
Kenny’s elder brother Peter rode winners for Arthur Stephenson as an amateur in the mid-1980s and it was through regular drives over to the yard to pick him up that Kenny’s face gradually became known at Crawleas. Kenny joined Stephenson as a working lad but began his riding career as an amateur, achieving his first winner on Duke of Dollis at Cartmel on 29 August 1988 for Consett trainer Wilf Storey.
Kenny’s elder brother Peter rode winners for Arthur Stephenson as an amateur in the mid-1980s and it was through regular drives over to the yard to pick him up that Kenny’s face gradually became known at Crawleas. Kenny joined Stephenson as a working lad but began his riding career as an amateur, achieving his first winner on Duke of Dollis at Cartmel on 29 August 1988 for Consett trainer Wilf Storey.
One of the first horses Kenny looked after was a steeplechaser named Nautical Joke. He rode him in public for the first time in a three-mile handicap chase at Market Rasen towards the end of the 1988/89 season. He grabbed the opportunity with both hands, winning easily, and then won again over course and distance the following week.
One of the first horses Kenny looked after was a steeplechaser named Nautical Joke. He rode him in public for the first time in a three-mile handicap chase at Market Rasen towards the end of the 1988/89 season. He grabbed the opportunity with both hands, winning easily, and then won again over course and distance the following week.
In October 1989, Kenny won the John Eustace Smith Trophy at Newcastle on Nautical Joke and later that season rode him in the 1990 Grand National. Behind early on, Nautical Joke was lying in around tenth place at Becher’s second time, but he began to weaken from the Canal Turn and came down four out, the last ditch.
In October 1989, Kenny won the John Eustace Smith Trophy at Newcastle on Nautical Joke and later that season rode him in the 1990 Grand National. Behind early on, Nautical Joke was lying in around tenth place at Becher’s second time, but he began to weaken from the Canal Turn and came down four out, the last ditch.
Kenny was the leading amateur rider in 1990/91 with 24 wins and turned professional the following season.
Kenny was the leading amateur rider in 1990/91 with 24 wins and turned professional the following season.
Whereas the rigours of a gruelling Grand National experience often leave their mark, this was not the case with Nautical Joke, who proved to be the very model of consistency. In the 1991/92 season, Kenny won on him six times, the last of these being, appropriately at Market Rasen, where their racecourse partnership had begun. This was Nautical Joke’s final start, for he was by then thirteen and his connections wisely retired him on a winning note.
Whereas the rigours of a gruelling Grand National experience often leave their mark, this was not the case with Nautical Joke, who proved to be the very model of consistency. In the 1991/92 season, Kenny won on him six times, the last of these being, appropriately at Market Rasen, where their racecourse partnership had begun. This was Nautical Joke’s final start, for he was by then thirteen and his connections wisely retired him on a winning note.
Kenny’s next Grand National ride was Stay On Tracks in the void 1993 running. Despite finishing ninth the previous year, he was giving him a disappointing ride when his race was brought to a halt at half-way.
Kenny’s next Grand National ride was Stay On Tracks in the void 1993 running. Despite finishing ninth the previous year, he was giving him a disappointing ride when his race was brought to a halt at half-way.
He had to wait until 2002 for his next Aintree opportunity, on Norman Mason’s Red Ark, but he failed to get beyond the first fence. By the following year, Richard Guest had taken over the licence and Kenny once again had the leg up on Red Ark. This time he lasted far longer, racing in midfield for the first circuit but losing ground steadily from halfway. He was well in arrears when Kenny pulled him up at Valentine’s second time round.
He had to wait until 2002 for his next Aintree opportunity, on Norman Mason’s Red Ark, but he failed to get beyond the first fence. By the following year, Richard Guest had taken over the licence and Kenny once again had the leg up on Red Ark. This time he lasted far longer, racing in midfield for the first circuit but losing ground steadily from halfway. He was well in arrears when Kenny pulled him up at Valentine’s second time round.
Kenny’s career was one of ups and downs. Bob Johnson had his most successful training season in 2003/04 and his stable jockey son likewise enjoyed a good campaign with 15 winners. But the following season was barely a month old when he sustained multiple injuries in a horrific fall from Red Perk at Uttoxeter, breaking five ribs, his right shoulder, and also puncturing a lung. Recalling the incident, Kenny said: “I could not believe it and I stopped counting the pieces in my shoulder when I got to twelve.”
Kenny’s career was one of ups and downs. Bob Johnson had his most successful training season in 2003/04 and his stable jockey son likewise enjoyed a good campaign with 15 winners. But the following season was barely a month old when he sustained multiple injuries in a horrific fall from Red Perk at Uttoxeter, breaking five ribs, his right shoulder, and also puncturing a lung. Recalling the incident, Kenny said: “I could not believe it and I stopped counting the pieces in my shoulder when I got to twelve.”
Remarkably, he was back riding races only four months later, partnering Sands Rising for his father over hurdles at Sedgefield. Switched to fences, Sands Rising won a Sedgefield novices’ chase for him on January 11, 2005. Kenny won twice on Sands Rising during the 2006/07 campaign, landing chases at Sedgefield in December and Carlisle in February.
Remarkably, he was back riding races only four months later, partnering Sands Rising for his father over hurdles at Sedgefield. Switched to fences, Sands Rising won a Sedgefield novices’ chase for him on January 11, 2005. Kenny won twice on Sands Rising during the 2006/07 campaign, landing chases at Sedgefield in December and Carlisle in February.
In the summer of 2009, misfortune struck again. Three falls in quick succession left him without any power in his left shoulder and arm. The shoulder kept popping out of the back of the socket. Kenny remained determined to return to the saddle but admitted he would be governed by medical advice.
In the summer of 2009, misfortune struck again. Three falls in quick succession left him without any power in his left shoulder and arm. The shoulder kept popping out of the back of the socket. Kenny remained determined to return to the saddle but admitted he would be governed by medical advice.
He was out of action for 16 months, returning in the autumn of 2010. His comeback winner, on 25-1 shot Lindseyfield Lodge at Kelso on October 16, 2010, was greeted with cheers all round from racegoers and fellow jockeys. It was a far better experience than on a previous occasion at Kelso, when Kenny had been thrown in the paddock prior to a schooling session, which resulted in a snapped peg at the back of his neck, necessitating a bone graft to strengthen it.
He was out of action for 16 months, returning in the autumn of 2010. His comeback winner, on 25-1 shot Lindseyfield Lodge at Kelso on October 16, 2010, was greeted with cheers all round from racegoers and fellow jockeys. It was a far better experience than on a previous occasion at Kelso, when Kenny had been thrown in the paddock prior to a schooling session, which resulted in a snapped peg at the back of his neck, necessitating a bone graft to strengthen it.
Latterly, Kenny assisted his father with the training and mainly just rode the stable’s horses. He ended a long barren spell when riding three winners within a couple of months during the 2013/14 season, beginning with Rosquero in a handicap hurdle at Ayr on February 20, followed by Politelysed in a similar event at Uttoxeter on March 17. The third winner was Lord Brendy in a maiden hurdle at Kelso on April 22.
Latterly, Kenny assisted his father with the training and mainly just rode the stable’s horses. He ended a long barren spell when riding three winners within a couple of months during the 2013/14 season, beginning with Rosquero in a handicap hurdle at Ayr on February 20, followed by Politelysed in a similar event at Uttoxeter on March 17. The third winner was Lord Brendy in a maiden hurdle at Kelso on April 22.
However, it was Lord Brendy who would later be the villain of the piece. Despite having had far more than his share of injuries during his career, Kenny just kept bouncing back, but the latest, in a Sedgefield novices’ chase on October 30, 2014, may prove to be one from which there is no return.
However, it was Lord Brendy who would later be the villain of the piece. Despite having had far more than his share of injuries during his career, Kenny just kept bouncing back, but the latest, in a Sedgefield novices’ chase on October 30, 2014, may prove to be one from which there is no return.
Lord Brendy’s seventh fence fall left him with blurred vision in his left eye and a broken vertebra. Racing was delayed as he was knocked unconscious and was taken off the course by the air ambulance to James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough.
Lord Brendy’s seventh fence fall left him with blurred vision in his left eye and a broken vertebra. Racing was delayed as he was knocked unconscious and was taken off the course by the air ambulance to James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough.
Having taken over the family training operation in 2015, Kenny still suffers from blurred vision but hasn’t totally ruled out a return to the saddle, even at the veteran age of 47, subject to him being granted a licence. It’s been a long career during which he typified the journeyman jockey who forms the backbone of National Hunt racing, yet time has not diminished his love of the game.
Having taken over the family training operation in 2015, Kenny still suffers from blurred vision but hasn’t totally ruled out a return to the saddle, even at the veteran age of 47, subject to him being granted a licence. It’s been a long career during which he typified the journeyman jockey who forms the backbone of National Hunt racing, yet time has not diminished his love of the game.