Tears as four-time champion jockey Richard Johnson announces shock retirement

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Richard Johnson, one of the most successful jockeys of all time, shocked the sporting world on Saturday when announcing his retirement with immediate effect.

Johnson, 43, revealed the surprise decision after finishing third on the Philip Hobbs-trained Brother Tedd in the 2m5f handicap chase at Newton Abbot, after which he stood down from his ride in the last race.

The four-time champion rode 3,819 winners – a figure only bettered by great rival Sir Anthony McCoy – and claimed Cheltenham Gold Cup glory twice on Looks Like Trouble (2000) and Native River (2018) as well as many of jump racing's biggest races.

He was awarded an OBE in 2019 for his services to the sport.

Johnson, who was in tears after his final ride, said in a statement: "After nearly 30 years in the saddle, the time has come for me to retire. I have been so extraordinarily lucky to have ridden so many wonderful horses, and for so many incredible trainers and owners.

An emotional Richard Johnson after announcing his retirement after the last ride of his career on Brother Tedd for old ally Philip Hobbs at Newton Abbot on SaturdayCredit: Fiona Crawford

"It was particularly important to me to finish on one for Philip and Sarah Hobbs who, like Henry Daly, have supported me for over 20 years. I'll never be able to articulate what their loyalty has meant to me.

"There are so many people to thank who have been part of my journey. Without 'the Duke' and Dinah Nicholson and their remarkable staff, I'd never have got that first leg up. Noel Chance, Peter Bowen and Milton Bradley, thank you for putting your trust in me when I was starting out. Those were the days that shaped my career, with so many people who remain lifelong friends.

"The truth is there are simply too many people to thank on an individual basis, but you know who you are and what you mean to me. To jockeys past and present who I've shared weighing-room benches with up and down the country, to the valets who have looked after me, to the doctors who've patched me up and to the physios who've put me back together.

"Without Dave Roberts I'd have never ridden as many winners and without the help of physio Kate Davis in recent years I wouldn't physically have been able to. I salute you all."

Richard Johnson: one of the most popular and respected jockeys in the weighing roomCredit: Edward Whitaker

Johnson's rivalry with McCoy was a perennial theme for many years and he suffered the frustration of finishing runner-up to the 20-time champion jockey on 16 occasions.

Following McCoy's retirement, Johnson finally got his hands on the jockeys' championship trophy in 2016 and successfully defended it the following three seasons.

McCoy paid tribute to Johnson's phenomenal career on Twitter, saying: "Sometimes those who challenge us the most teach us the best. You did both to me for over 20 years. I will be forever grateful to you, thanks buddy. When you go home tonight look in the mirror you'll see what a champion looks like. Enjoy your retirement @dickyjohnson77."

Speaking to Great British Racing, McCoy added: "On a professional level I probably got to know him better than anyone and he's a brilliant man to be around, a fantastic jockey and unbelievably competitive.

"He also has a great work ethic and is the fairest jockey you could ever ride against, so he has deserved all of his success. As I've said many times, having Richard to compete against for all of those years definitely made me a better jockey. But, however good a jockey you think he is, he's an even better person."

Johnson picked out the day at Sandown at the end of the 2015-16 season as the highlight of his career.

"It was the best point of my career," he said. "I've had lots of highs but it was very special to me. The support through that season was phenomenal and it's a time I will never forget."

Johnson, who was conditional jockey to the great David Nicholson, was born in Hereford and his first winner came at his local course on Rusty Bridge in a hunter chase on April 30, 1994.

He rode some of racing's most popular horses, including 2003 Champion Hurdle hero Rooster Booster and 2002 Champion Chase winner Flagship Uberalles.

Anzum, winner of the 1999 Stayers' Hurdle, was the first of his 23 winners at the Cheltenham Festival, with Native River's memorable victory over Might Bite in the 2018 Gold Cup his last.

A Grand National success eluded him despite 21 rides – a record for a jockey – and two second-placed finishes on What's Up Boys (2002) and Balthazar King (2014).

Johnson started his illustrious partnership with Hobbs following Richard Dunwoody's retirement, riding stars such as Flagship Uberalles, Rooster Booster, Detroit City, Menorah and Defi Du Seuil.

The trainer said: "Richard is obviously a very good rider, but for somebody to be top-end successful, just being a good rider is not good enough.

"He's massively good with owners, particularly when one has run badly, which is the important time. Rather than run away like a lot want to, Richard will spend longer with the owners, which is very important.

"He's completely dedicated and there is no side to him. He is a fantastic jockey, a gentleman and a fine ambassador to the sport of racing."

Johnson's association with Daly goes back to when the trainer was assisting Captain Tim Forster. Daly took over from Forster at Downton Hall stables in 1998 and Johnson was part of his career from the start.

The pair combined for some major victories, notably with Behrajan, Edmond and Mighty Man.

Fighting back the tears, Daly said: "He's ridden for me for 23 years and never missed a Tuesday morning – what an incredible man. People have so little understanding of what he's done and what jockeys do.

"He's an unbelievable man, as regular as you like and I promise you in all the years we have never had a cross word. It's truly astonishing.

"It's his decision and it's the right time when you decide. He's just an astonishing man – an absolute legend."

RICHARD JOHNSON CV

Full name Richard Evan Johnson
Born Hereford, July 21, 1977
Parents Keith and Sue Johnson (farmers & trainers)
Apprenticeship Amateur rider, conditional jockey with David Nicholson
First point-to-point winner Space Mariner, Brampton Bryan, April 9, 1994
First winner under rules Rusty Bridge, hunter chase, Hereford, April 30, 1994
First Grade 1 winner Billygoat Gruff (1996 Heineken Gold Cup Chase, Punchestown)
Cheltenham Gold Cup winners Looks Like Trouble (2000), Native River (2018)
Champion Hurdle winner Rooster Booster (2003)
Queen Mother Champion Chase winner Flagship Uberalles (2002)
Stayers' Hurdle winner Anzum (1999)
Triumph Hurdle winners Made In Japan (2004), Detroit City (2006), Defi Du Seuil (2017)
Other Grade 1 Cheltenham Festival winners One Knight (2003 Royal & SunAlliance Chase), Massini's Maguire (2007 Ballymore Novices' Hurdle), Menorah (2010 Supreme Novices' Hurdle), Captain Chris (2011 Arkle Chase), Cheltenian (2011 Champion Bumper)
Irish (Hennessy) Gold Cup winner (Leopardstown) Florida Pearl (2001, 2004)
Punchestown Gold Cup winner Planet Of Sound (2010)
BMW/Punchestown Champion Chase winner Flagship Uberalles (2003)
Tingle Creek Chase winner Flagship Uberalles (2000)
Martell Cup Chase winner (Aintree) Escartefigue (1998)
Hennessy Gold Cup winner (Newbury) Native River (2016)
Betfred/bet365 Gold Cup winners (Sandown) Lacdoudal (2006), Monkerhostin (2008)
Welsh Grand National winners Edmond (1999), Native River (2016)
Scottish Grand National winner Beshabar (2011)
Championship Hurdle winner (substitute Champion Hurdle at Sandown) Landing Light (2001)
Liverpool Hurdle winner Mighty Man (2006, 2007)
Champion Stayers Hurdle winner (Punchestown) Anzum (1999)
Other Cheltenham Festival winners Dark Stranger (2000 Mildmay of Flete Chase), Rooster Booster (2002 County Hurdle), Young Spartacus (2003 Mildmay of Flete Chase), La Landiere (2003 Cathcart Chase), Monkerhostin (2004 Coral Cup), Copper Bleu (2010 Jewson Novices' Chase), Balthazar King (2012 & 2014 Glenfarclas Cross-Country Chase), Fingal Bay (2014 Pertemps Hurdle Final), Flying Tiger (2017 Fred Winter Juvenile Hurdle)
Grand National runners-up What's Up Boys (2002), Balthazar King (2014) from 21 rides (record)
Last winner Camprond, Taunton, March 23, 2021
Last ride Brother Tedd, 3rd at Newton Abbot, April 3, 2021
Overall champion steeplechasers (official ratings) Looks Like Trouble (1999-2000 joint), Native River (2017-18)
Overall champion hurdlers(official ratings) Rooster Booster (2002-03 joint), Mighty Man (2006-07)
Highest-rated steeplechasers Gloria Victis (RPR 177, 2000 Racing Post Chase), Native River (RPR 177, 2018 Cheltenham Gold Cup)
Highest-rated hurdler Anzum (RPR 174, 1999 Long Walk Hurdle)
Cheltenham Festival wins 23 (1999-2018) including 2 on Rooster Booster, Balthazar King; leading jockey 2002
Champion conditional jockey 1995-96
Champion jump jockey 4 times (2015-16 to 2018-19); previously runner-up to AP McCoy 16 times
Five-timers Perth, August 18, 2018 & September 27, 2018
Most wins in a season 236 in 2015-16 (235 GB, 1 Ireland)
Total wins over jumps in GB/Ireland combined 3,819 (3,800 GB, 19 Ireland); second to Sir Anthony McCoy (4,348) in all-time list. Also 2 in France
Official honour OBE (2019) for services to horse racing

Compiled by John Randall

Richard Johnson career details

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