Having finished runner-up to the incomparable Sir Anthony McCoy on 15 occasions, Richard Johnson will finally be crowned champion National Hunt jockey when the curtain comes down on the season at Sandown on Saturday and some of the sport's leading names have been keen to pay tribute:
Philip Hobbs, trainer
"Richard has been our stable jockey for over 15 years, he has always been fantastically reliable and is brilliant with the owners, giving great feedback.
"On top of that he is a very, very good jockey and is a great ambassador for our yard and racing as a whole
"At long last he is going to be champion jockey, it is the one thing he has wanted since he started riding and it is greatly deserved."
Noel Chance, dual Gold Cup-winning trainer and Johnson's father-in-law
"It's marvellous he's done it and I'm delighted he's not just done it by two or three - he's ridden almost 100 winners more than anyone else.
"He's finished second so many times and I'm sure AP (McCoy) will be delighted the form is holding up!
"Myself and Richard obviously go back a long way. We gave him his first graded winner on Mr Mulligan in the Towton Novices' Chase at Wetherby (1996).
"The first time I met him was when he rode a horse called Monty Royale for me in a hurdle race at Market Rasen during the summer. He was a 7lb-claiming amateur at the time and he never left the paint all the way round and sluiced in.
"He went on to win a Gold Cup for us (Looks Like Trouble, 2000) and while I'm biased, I think he's a legend. That word is bandied around too much these days, but he is.
"Not only is he a great rider, but he's a serious human being. His riding qualities are second to his human qualities, in my opinion.
"It couldn't happen to a better fellow and I'll be going to Sandown myself.
"I'm sure it will be a strange day for Richard, but knowing him it will be business as usual."
Dave Roberts, agent
"I took over acting for Richard when he was an amateur jockey with David Nicholson, so all the winners he has ridden over the years we have done together.
"He is the ultimate professional, so easy to deal with and we've never had a cross word between us in our time together.
"He lets me get on with my job and makes sure he delivers on the track - I don't think there is anyone is racing who would begrudge him being champion jockey.
Peter Scudamore, eight-time champion jump jockey
"It's a marvellous achievement and a funny feeling for me as we're both from the county of Hereford. The last two English champion jockeys are from the same place, which is something to be proud of.
"In my first point-to-point I rode against Richard's father and Richard's grandfather, so I'm delighted for him and all his family.
"He really does deserve it. Look at the sheer number of winners he's ridden and those winners seem that bit more special when you're champion jockey to go with it.
"I'm sure he'll be champion jockey for a few more years yet."
John Francome, seven-time champion jump jockey
"I think this is one of the happiest sporting moments I can remember. Normally there are two sides to everything, but I don't think there's a single person that's not delighted he's won it.
"At the start of the season everyone knew he deserved it and I was just praying he didn't break an arm or a leg or something like that, as it really couldn't be more deserved.
"The thing about Richard is, it doesn't matter if it's Plumpton on a Monday or the Cheltenham Festival, he always rides the same.
"It's an unbelievable achievement and he should be very proud of himself."
Aidan Coleman, second in this year's jockeys' title race
"It's a fantastic achievement and nobody deserves it more, I would say.
"He's had it won from months back and I think Dicky (Johnson) will be champion jockey for as long as he rides. He deserves to be, to be honest.
"I've had a great season, but I'm delighted for Dicky. Well done to him."
Sam Twiston-Davies, third in this year's jockeys' title race
"He's been an amazing ambassador for our sport. He gives everything 150 per cent - whether it's Fakenham on a Tuesday or Sandown on a Saturday.
"He's an incredible jockey and a fantastic person. You never see him angry or down and no matter what happens he always seems to come back with a smile on his face.
"He's one of the nicest people you could ever meet and there won't be a single jockey in the weighing room who won't be clapping him when he goes out to collect his title.
"I think he'll be champion jockey for as long as he's riding. We'll all go out and try to beat him, as he did against AP (McCoy) for all those years, but you've got to be realistic.
"Nobody deserves to be champion jockey more than him and everyone will be absolutely delighted for him.
"The weighing room is still a strange place without AP and when Dicky goes as well it will be a bit frightening.
"We all enjoy having him around and as I say, I couldn't be more delighted for him."
Nicky Henderson, three-time champion jumps trainer
"I think we all started the year just hoping he would do it. He'd have been a champion jockey in any other era so many times.
"Everybody wanted him to win and he's a lovely guy. You won't find a nicer guy and he's obviously a great jockey.
"It's great news for everybody in racing and Dicky himself."
Alan King, trainer
"It's thoroughly deserved, that's for sure, having knocked on the door for so many years, and the great thing about him is he's never changed.
"We go back a long way. I was working at the Duke's (David Nicholson) when he came in during the school holidays when he was 14 or 15.
"He's totally dedicated and it was pretty clear from early on he was a bit special.
"We won a Long Walk together with Anzum (1999) and a Bula Hurdle with Relkeel (1999). Even more recently, he won on Smad Place for us this season, so I've never been far from reaching for him when I was short of jockeys and he was available.
"He's a brilliant jockey and a wonderful person."
Henry Daly, trainer
"He is no longer the bridesmaid - he's finally got to be the bride!
"I'm thrilled to bits for him. We go back to around 1994, which is a long time ago.
"You don't ride as many winners as a conditional as he did unless you're a bit special and as well as being an extraordinary jockey, he's the most fantastically level person you could ever wish to meet.
"Nothing was ever a bother to him and he's just a remarkable man.
"We had some great days together and it would be tough to choose between Edmond winning the Welsh National (1999) and Mighty Man winning at Aintree for the best.
"They were a proper pair Richard and Mighty Man - they were very well suited."
Diana Whateley, owner
''Ever since we have been with Philip Hobbs he has ridden for us and he has been remarkable.
"They are a fantastic team.''
Paul Hanagan, dual champion Flat jockey
"I'm absolutely delighted and I think the whole country is. For a man that works as hard as he does, I'm just delighted for him really.
"Having won the Flat jockeys' title, I realise the work ethic he has put into it and what he has done.
"I've been lucky enough to meet him once or twice and he is a good egg. He is a gentleman and it makes it even nicer for him to have done so well."
Jim Crowley, Flat jockey and former jump jockey
"I think it's amazing. I rode with Dicky for a good few years and he is an absolute gentlemen. He is a brilliant rider and stronger than anybody in a finish and it's well deserved.
"He is in the same mould as Sir Tony McCoy - it is as simple as that. There are not many jockeys like him who are consistent every year. He is a great rider and a nice bloke with it."
John Gosden, dual champion Flat trainer
"I've watched him ride a lot and I think he is a magnificent rider for his sheer professionalism and determination.
"I don't know him personally, but he always manages to put on a smile in the most difficult moments.
"He is a proper man who is doing a proper job and no one in racing deserves the championship more than him."
Sir Michael Stoute, 10-time champion Flat trainer
"I wish him many more before he retires as he deserves it as he is an absolutely wonderful rider. His time has come and now he is right at the top he can look forward to celebrating it."
Pat Smullen, eight-time champion Flat jockey in Ireland
"It is absolutely brilliant. I am delighted for him. He is an absolute gentleman and he is very talented. What he has achieved has gone under the radar because of what Sir Tony McCoy has achieved.
"To be runner-up on so many occasions, he deserves his chance to be champion and I'm sure it will be the first of many.
"The first one is always the best one I think. I think he is getting better as he is getting older."
No comments:
Post a Comment