Ernie Johnson

Ernest Johnson (born 1948) is an Epsom Derby winning British flat racing jockey.

Career

He began his apprenticeship with Captain Peter Hastings-Bass at Kingsclere. On that trainer's death in 1964, he transferred to Ian Balding. His first win came on Balding's Abel at York on 18 May 1965 and his first big win came on Salvo in the 1966 Vaux Gold Tankard for Harry Wragg. In 1967, he won the Ebor on Ovaltine and the Cesarewitch on Boismoss, and ended the season as Champion Apprentice with 39 victories.

In 1968, he moved to Middleham, North Yorkshire where he rode for Sam Hall, although he still rode for many leading southern stables. That year he won 68 races, including a second Ebor on Alignment, the Free Handicap at Newmarket on Panpiper and the Portland Handicap on Gold Pollen.

1969 brought Johnson his biggest career victory - a "faultless ride" in The Derby on Blakeney - and his biggest seasonal haul to that date of 79. In 1972, he became stable jockey to Barry Hills, for whom he almost won a second Derby on Rheingold, when he finished beaten by a short head by Lester Piggott on Roberto. Although Roberto was a very good horse, Johnson himself believes that the combination of the Epsom track and the fact that Piggott was at the peak of his powers got him beat.