Ed Chamberlin interviews David Johnson and gets the name of a couple of rising stars for readers to follow!
Sky Sports News' Ed Chamberlin continues his new feature by interviewing top owner David Johnson - and there are a couple of horses to follow for readers!
David Johnson's colours are one of the most recognisable in racing. He has owned numerous Cheltenham Festival winners, a Grand National winner and landed some famous gambles but in recent years his number of horses has dwindled dramatically. However, with business picking up again that could be about change.....
Ed: Does your passion for racing still burn as bright as it did five or six years ago?
DJ: Absolutely it does. Work was the driver for me to be able to have all the horses that I did. We've had a tough time in the finance sector over the last three years. We used to borrow money in the wholesale market which is effectively warehouse providing. The armageddon of America, the subprime mortgage crisis happened, and banks stopped lending, which cut back our ability to trade so sadly I couldn't afford to keep buying horses but because of that my passion has actually grown. Although I have less in number I still have some quality horses. I believe I have anyway.
Ed: How many horses in training have you got now?
DJ: With legs and horses of my own, somewhere between 20 and 25.
Ed: What's the most you've had at any one time?
DJ: 100.
Ed: Wow.
DJ: I had 112 winners in one season. Timmy Murphy rode every one of those winners, which was quite something
Ed: Have you had a favourite horse?
DJ: Tough question. We led the way buying horses from France before Messrs Nicholls and Henderson. Cyfor Malta was special and I reckon the best horse never to win a Gold Cup. I loved Lady Cricket and Challenger Du Luc and I suppose Comply Or Die has to be up there as he won the Grand National. Deep down though Well Chief is my favourite.
Ed: What's your finest moment in racing?
DJ: Winning the Grand National. Although it's a handicap, it's the race every National Hunt owner wants to win and I reckon if you asked JP McManus, Trevor Hemmings, Graham Wylie and Andy Stewart that's the race they'd most want to win. It's an exclusive club that's done so, which JP joined last season.
Ed: Worst moment?
DJ: Probably the Grand National as well as it's been unlucky as well as lucky for me. I've lost two horses round there when I've had my family with me. That feeling when your horse hasn't come back and you're walking round the course trying to find them is horrendous. Picking the tarpaulin up to see if the horse is yours is a sobering moment, particularly when you have a horse-mad daughter with you.
Ed: We've got used to seeing your family leading horses in to the winners' enclosure, are they still as keen as ever?
DJ: Absolutely. My wife enjoys the social side of racing as we've developed a lot of friends through racing and there's great camaraderie amongst national hunt owners, which is different to the flat. My daughter rides out, has a couple of retired racehorses and she loves it to bits.
Ed: I know from trying to track you down how busy you are, so how does a businessman like yourself keep up with all the racing. Have you got a TV in the office?
DJ: Yes. I have RUK, ATR and SIS in the office. My office looks a bit like a betting shop. My fellow directors and investors know that if I didn't have the televisions I'd be out at the races so I'm helping them by
