Rae Johnstone
1905 -1964
1905 -1964
Born on April 13, 1905, in Sydney, Australia, of Irish-German blood, William
Born on April 13, 1905, in Sydney, Australia, of Irish-German blood, William
Raphael Johnstone rode the winners of more than 2,000 races in nine countries and rejoiced in the nickname of ‘Le Crocodile’ for his habit of creeping up on his rivals in the last furlong.
Raphael Johnstone rode the winners of more than 2,000 races in nine countries and rejoiced in the nickname of ‘Le Crocodile’ for his habit of creeping up on his rivals in the last furlong.
He had a dark and somewhat Oriental appearance and was just 15 when gaining his first win; ten years later he was Sydney’s champion jockey.
He had a dark and somewhat Oriental appearance and was just 15 when gaining his first win; ten years later he was Sydney’s champion jockey.
At the invitation of M.Pierre Wertheimer, he went to France in 1932, becoming champion jockey there in three of his first six seasons.
At the invitation of M.Pierre Wertheimer, he went to France in 1932, becoming champion jockey there in three of his first six seasons.
He then came to England where he had been retained by Lord Glanely, who owned one of the biggest stables in the country. Johnstone promptly won the 1934 Two Thousand Guineas for the stable (Colombo) but then came in for heavy criticism for his riding of Colombo in the Derby. He was blamed for coming too late to catch Windsor Lad. He finished riding for Lord Glanely shortly after.
He then came to England where he had been retained by Lord Glanely, who owned one of the biggest stables in the country. Johnstone promptly won the 1934 Two Thousand Guineas for the stable (Colombo) but then came in for heavy criticism for his riding of Colombo in the Derby. He was blamed for coming too late to catch Windsor Lad. He finished riding for Lord Glanely shortly after.
He won the 1935 One Thousand Guineas on Mesa but then gave that horse a most indifferent ride when later attempting the Oaks.
He won the 1935 One Thousand Guineas on Mesa but then gave that horse a most indifferent ride when later attempting the Oaks.
During the war, Johnstone spent time in France in a German prison camp.
During the war, Johnstone spent time in France in a German prison camp.
After hostilities, his career took off. He won the 1948 Epsom Derby on My Love but lost it the next year by a head on Amour Drake. Carried wide by Swallow Tail and Nimbus, he suddenly decided to switch behind in the last few strides and come inside Swallow Tail. The manoeuvre cost him the race, but an examination of the cinema film of the race showed that he was the victim of circumstances which might have led to an objection to the winner had there been a patrol camera in those days.
After hostilities, his career took off. He won the 1948 Epsom Derby on My Love but lost it the next year by a head on Amour Drake. Carried wide by Swallow Tail and Nimbus, he suddenly decided to switch behind in the last few strides and come inside Swallow Tail. The manoeuvre cost him the race, but an examination of the cinema film of the race showed that he was the victim of circumstances which might have led to an objection to the winner had there been a patrol camera in those days.
Johnstone’s best year came in 1950: he won the One Thousand Guineas (Camaree), the Derby (Galcador), the Oaks (Asmena) and the St Leger (Scratch ll). He also won the French Derby and the Irish Oaks.
Johnstone’s best year came in 1950: he won the One Thousand Guineas (Camaree), the Derby (Galcador), the Oaks (Asmena) and the St Leger (Scratch ll). He also won the French Derby and the Irish Oaks.
Altogether he won some 30 classics in England, France and Ireland, his last big win coming in the Irish One Thousand Guineas of 1956.
Altogether he won some 30 classics in England, France and Ireland, his last big win coming in the Irish One Thousand Guineas of 1956.
Rae Johnstone, intelligent and quick-thinking, was good company and a jockey wise enough to learn from his mistakes. He certainly atoned from his indifferent riding performances later.
Rae Johnstone, intelligent and quick-thinking, was good company and a jockey wise enough to learn from his mistakes. He certainly atoned from his indifferent riding performances later.
He retired in 1957 and began training in France with no little success.
He retired in 1957 and began training in France with no little success.
Aged 59, he suffered a severe heart attack at La Tremblay, and died in a Chantilly hospital on 29 April 1964, leaving a widow.
Aged 59, he suffered a severe heart attack at La Tremblay, and died in a Chantilly hospital on 29 April 1964, leaving a widow.
The article below was taken from the Australian Dictionary of Biography (Vol 14)
The article below was taken from the Australian Dictionary of Biography (Vol 14)
William Raphael Johnstone (1905-1964), jockey, was born on 13 April 1905 at New Lambton, New South Wales, son of native-born parents Robert James Johnstone, coalminer, and his wife Elizabeth, née Harney. After his parents separated, Rae lived with his mother in Sydney and attended Marist Brothers' High School, Darlinghurst. Apprenticed at 14 to the Newcastle trainer Jack Phoenix, the diminutive Johnstone rode his first winner, Grey Arrow, at Rosehill in June 1920. He rode over one hundred winners in the 1920-21 season, but began betting, fell foul of the stewards and endured several suspensions. In 1925 Johnstone was banned from riding in Sydney for several months because he had gained access to his earnings (protected while an apprentice) and married Ruby Isabel Hornery-Ford on 20 June at the district registrar's office, Randwick. At Armidale in November 1927 he conspired to lose a race and was banned for two years. Beset by financial problems and a collapsing marriage, he resumed racing in 1930.
William Raphael Johnstone (1905-1964), jockey, was born on 13 April 1905 at New Lambton, New South Wales, son of native-born parents Robert James Johnstone, coalminer, and his wife Elizabeth, née Harney. After his parents separated, Rae lived with his mother in Sydney and attended Marist Brothers' High School, Darlinghurst. Apprenticed at 14 to the Newcastle trainer Jack Phoenix, the diminutive Johnstone rode his first winner, Grey Arrow, at Rosehill in June 1920. He rode over one hundred winners in the 1920-21 season, but began betting, fell foul of the stewards and endured several suspensions. In 1925 Johnstone was banned from riding in Sydney for several months because he had gained access to his earnings (protected while an apprentice) and married Ruby Isabel Hornery-Ford on 20 June at the district registrar's office, Randwick. At Armidale in November 1927 he conspired to lose a race and was banned for two years. Beset by financial problems and a collapsing marriage, he resumed racing in 1930.
Riding with renewed zest in India in 1931 for expatriate trainer Alec Higgins, Johnstone was offered engagements in England by Sir Victor Sassoon's racing manager. He arrived there in 1932, but found better prospects riding for Pierre Wertheimer in France. Life in Paris appealed to him, and he became romantically involved with Marie Marcelle Augustine Goubé ('Gui'), a dancer at the Folies-Bergère. Johnstone was the leading jockey in France three times in the 1930s. His first classic wins were in England in 1934, for the Cardiff shipowner, Lord Glanely. High living, casinos and what Johnstone called 'a certain hypnotic fascination for the limelight' ensured that he retained little of his large earnings.
Riding with renewed zest in India in 1931 for expatriate trainer Alec Higgins, Johnstone was offered engagements in England by Sir Victor Sassoon's racing manager. He arrived there in 1932, but found better prospects riding for Pierre Wertheimer in France. Life in Paris appealed to him, and he became romantically involved with Marie Marcelle Augustine Goubé ('Gui'), a dancer at the Folies-Bergère. Johnstone was the leading jockey in France three times in the 1930s. His first classic wins were in England in 1934, for the Cardiff shipowner, Lord Glanely. High living, casinos and what Johnstone called 'a certain hypnotic fascination for the limelight' ensured that he retained little of his large earnings.
He was equally cavalier about World War II. Rejected for military service, he rode in India in 1939-40, but returned to Paris where, on 12 March 1940, he married Marie (whom he called Mary). They made their way to Monte Carlo. Johnstone contrived to ride at meetings at Lyon, Vichy and Marseilles until late 1942 before being interned by the Italians. He claimed that he escaped from a German-bound train in 1944 and was helped to cross the military lines to liberated Paris. By mid-December that year he was back in the saddle.
He was equally cavalier about World War II. Rejected for military service, he rode in India in 1939-40, but returned to Paris where, on 12 March 1940, he married Marie (whom he called Mary). They made their way to Monte Carlo. Johnstone contrived to ride at meetings at Lyon, Vichy and Marseilles until late 1942 before being interned by the Italians. He claimed that he escaped from a German-bound train in 1944 and was helped to cross the military lines to liberated Paris. By mid-December that year he was back in the saddle.
Embarking upon what was to be a celebrated decade, Johnstone won the 1945 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. He rode for some of the wealthiest owners in Europe, including the Aga Khan and Leon Volterra. On their horse, My Love, in 1948 Johnstone became the first Australian jockey to win the (English) Derby. Within three weeks he had added the French and Irish Derbys. He lost the 1949 (English) Derby in a photo finish, but was acclaimed for his daring victory next year on Galcador, at a time when he was retained (for three years) by Marcel Boussac's stables in France and England. Their partnership netted seven classic winners in 1950. Johnstone achieved his third (English) Derby, on Lavandin in 1956. He won thirty classic races in England, Ireland and France, and rode in eleven countries. Few Australians witnessed his mature riding skills and how he spared the whip. Jack Pollard, who saw him ride in France and England, described him as 'a bobby-dazzler, daring, crafty, able to spot an opening before his rivals, and a masterly judge of pace'.
Embarking upon what was to be a celebrated decade, Johnstone won the 1945 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. He rode for some of the wealthiest owners in Europe, including the Aga Khan and Leon Volterra. On their horse, My Love, in 1948 Johnstone became the first Australian jockey to win the (English) Derby. Within three weeks he had added the French and Irish Derbys. He lost the 1949 (English) Derby in a photo finish, but was acclaimed for his daring victory next year on Galcador, at a time when he was retained (for three years) by Marcel Boussac's stables in France and England. Their partnership netted seven classic winners in 1950. Johnstone achieved his third (English) Derby, on Lavandin in 1956. He won thirty classic races in England, Ireland and France, and rode in eleven countries. Few Australians witnessed his mature riding skills and how he spared the whip. Jack Pollard, who saw him ride in France and England, described him as 'a bobby-dazzler, daring, crafty, able to spot an opening before his rivals, and a masterly judge of pace'.
Johnstone had become a European celebrity. Following his last ride, in June 1957 at Longchamp, he trained horses in France and published his memoirs, The Rae Johnstone Story (London, 1958). He attributed his 'oriental look' to his mixed descent (Irish-German and Portuguese-Welsh) and was offended by being nicknamed 'Togo' (after the Japanese admiral). To the French, he was 'Le Crocodile' who came 'from behind to gobble up the field'. Johnstone died on 29 April 1964 at Chantilly. He divided his estate between his wife and his mistress, Margo Winnick.
Johnstone had become a European celebrity. Following his last ride, in June 1957 at Longchamp, he trained horses in France and published his memoirs, The Rae Johnstone Story (London, 1958). He attributed his 'oriental look' to his mixed descent (Irish-German and Portuguese-Welsh) and was offended by being nicknamed 'Togo' (after the Japanese admiral). To the French, he was 'Le Crocodile' who came 'from behind to gobble up the field'. Johnstone died on 29 April 1964 at Chantilly. He divided his estate between his wife and his mistress, Margo Winnick.