Richard Johnson Retires

The White Wolf

I feel this deserves its own thread.

I'm delighted Johnson got to enjoy a few years between McCoy retiring and his own retirement.

Don't think I've been happier to back a winner than when he won the Gold Cup on Native River because the guy just deserved a moment like that at Cheltenham, and it was well overdue.

I hope he remains in the game somehow. Well done Dickie for a fantastic career.

Andrew00

Gentleman and great ambassador for the sport

Morris Garren

A marvellous professional, hardly ever the centre of controversy or bad behaviour, and I too rejoiced when he won the GC on Native River. A great man to get a horse into a rhythm, especially in front. I wish him all the best.

Francie Barrett

Always remember getting to see him in the flesh when he got a 12 year ol Florida Pearl up in the Irish Gold Cup.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQQ8sQ6CvlE

Not really that surprised to see him call time on his career. He's a long way of the Champion Jockey title and as good as he was, the likes of Harry Skelton have been better in the last two years.

kksaints

Surprised he's not waiting until the end of the season to retire but he probably feels the time is right. Very good jockey and as others have said it was great to see him as champion jockey in the years after McCoy retired after chasing him for so long.

Milanative

Francie Barrett wrote: »

Always remember getting to see him in the flesh when he got a 12 year ol Florida Pearl up in the Irish Gold Cup.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQQ8sQ6CvlE

Not really that surprised to see him call time on his career. He's a long way of the Champion Jockey title and as good as he was, the likes of Harry Skelton have been better in the last two years.

Harry skelton a more useless Jockey you'd not find

Francie Barrett

Milanative wrote: »

Harry skelton a more useless Jockey you'd not find

Don't know how you can say this. While Skelton has the backing of a really good stable, he's delivering on merit too. Just look at his strike rate, 20%+ over the last five years, bad jockey's don't get that sort of number. I also noticed Olly Murphy has been using him instead of Johnson recently, which says an awful lot how highly he's regarded. For me, Harry's the best British jockey going now.

lemush

Francie Barrett wrote: »

Don't know how you can say this. While Skelton has the backing of a really good stable, he's delivering on merit too. Just look at his strike rate, 20%+ over the last five years, bad jockey's don't get that sort of number. I also noticed Olly Murphy has been using him instead of Johnson recently, which says an awful lot how highly he's regarded. For me, Harry's the best British jockey going now.

.

The Mig

lemush wrote: »

.

Mod Note

Keep it civil please Lemush

Plasandrunt

definitely underrated as a jockey and seemed like a gentleman to boot.

Over 10 years before my time but his ride on Anzum in the Stayers in 1999 is one of my favourites

NaiveMelodies

Francie Barrett wrote: »

Don't know how you can say this. While Skelton has the backing of a really good stable, he's delivering on merit too. Just look at his strike rate, 20%+ over the last five years, bad jockey's don't get that sort of number. I also noticed Olly Murphy has been using him instead of Johnson recently, which says an awful lot how highly he's regarded. For me, Harry's the best British jockey going now.

Flat track bully. Has shown himself up as an embarrassment on the big stage.

The GB jockey title should be the titled 'the highest mileage championship'.

Shaney Boy

Plasandrunt wrote: »

definitely underrated as a jockey and seemed like a gentleman to boot.

Over 10 years before my time but his ride on Anzum in the Stayers in 1999 is one of my favourites

It was a super ride on a 40/1 shot to boot.