William Raphael "Rae" Johnstone (13 April 1905 – 29 April 1964), was an Australian flat-race jockey. After enjoying considerable success in his native country, he relocated to Europe in 1932 and spent most of the rest of his life in France. He won twelve British Classic Races and two Prix de l'Arc de Triomphes. On his retirement in 1957 he was described as "one of the greatest international jockeys of modern times".[1] He died of a heart attack in 1964.
Rae Johnstone was born to Robert James Johnstone (a coalminer) and Elizabeth Johnstone (nee Harvey) in 1905 in New Lambton, a suburb of Newcastle, New South Wales. In later life he was somewhat evasive when talking about his origins, claiming that his original surname was Davies and on others that he was of Portuguese descent. There is some evidence, however, that he may have attempted to conceal the fact that he was of Australian Aborigine heritage.[2] Early in his riding career he was nicknamed "Togo" after Admiral Togo on account of his dark complexion and "oriental" appearance: Johnstone reportedly found the name offensive.[3]
Riding careeredit
Johnstone began his riding career in Australia, winning his first race in 1920 at the age of 15. He had several brushes with the racing authorities and received a two-year ban in 1927 after he "conspired to lose a race".[3] In 1931 he was the Champion Jockey in Sydney and began to attract attention from abroad. By that time he had won more than 600 races in Australia and also ridden successfully in India.[1] In the following year he travelled to France to take up a position as the retained jockey for Pierre Wertheimer and moved to England two years later to ride for Lord Glanely. He made an immediate impact by winning the 2000 Guineas aboard Colombo but was criticised for his tactics when finishing third on the same colt in the Epsom Derby and returned to France shortly afterwards. In the following year he partnered the French-trained filly Mesa to win the 1000 Guineas.[4][5] In his early career Johnstone had been known to bet of his mounts, but gave up gambling on his second marriage in 1940.[1]
During the Second World War Johnstone was rejected for military service and briefly went back to India, before resuming his riding career in France. In 1942 he was interned by the occupying forces but returned to race-riding in late 1944.[3] In 1945 he won the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe on Nikellora.[4]
In the immediate post-war period Johnstone had great success riding French-trained horses in major British races. Between 1947 and 1956 he won the 1000 Guineas on Imprudence and Camaree, the Derby on My Love, Galcador and Lavandin, the Epsom Oaks on Imprudence, Asmena and Sun Cap and the St Leger on Scratch and Talma. In France he won a second Arc de Triomphe on Sica Boy in 1954. Arguably the best horse he rode however was Sayani on whom he won the Cambridgeshire Handicap in 1946.[4][5]
Johntone regarded his Derby win on My Love as his greatest achievement. He rode in the United States but did not enjoy the experience, commenting "There's no atmosphere. As far as I can make out, people go to races in America to eat sandwiches and hot dogs and to bet on a number".[1]
Riding styleedit
Johntone was known for his judgment of pace and mastery of waiting tactics.[4] He acquired the nickname "The Crocodile" because "he comes from behind and eats you up". He was also reluctant to use the whip on horses who were already beaten, which led to accusations of a lack of effort. He defended himself by saying "If the owner wants me to place, I’ll try. But I don't like to ride a horse into the ground for nothing".[6]
Later lifeedit
Johnstone retired from riding to become a trainer.[4] He died in Paris on 29 April 1964 after suffering a heart attack at Le Tremblay racecourse.[6]
Personal lifeedit
Johnstone was married twice. In June 1925 he married Ruby Isabel Hornery-Ford but their partnership was short-lived. In 1940 he married Marie Marcelle Augustine Goubé, a former dancer at the Folies Bergere. His second marriage lasted until his death although he also carried on a long-term relationship with a mistress, Margo Winnick.[3]
^Maynard, John (24 October 2013). Aborigines and the Sport of Kings. Aboriginal Studies Press. p. 59. ISBN9781922059543.
^ abcdLemon, Andrew. Australian Dictionary of Biography. National Centre of Biography, Australian National University.
^ abcdeMortimer, Roger; Onslow, Richard; Willett, Peter (1978). Biographical Encyclopedia of British Flat Racing. Macdonald and Jane's. ISBN0-354-08536-0.
^ abMorris, Tony; Randall, John (1999). A Century of Champions. Portway Press. ISBN9781901570151.
johnstone, william, raphael, johnstone, april, 1905, april, 1964, australian, flat, race, jockey, after, enjoying, considerable, success, native, country, relocated, europe, 1932, spent, most, rest, life, france, twelve, british, classic, races, prix, triomphe. William Raphael Rae Johnstone 13 April 1905 29 April 1964 was an Australian flat race jockey After enjoying considerable success in his native country he relocated to Europe in 1932 and spent most of the rest of his life in France He won twelve British Classic Races and two Prix de l Arc de Triomphes On his retirement in 1957 he was described as one of the greatest international jockeys of modern times 1 He died of a heart attack in 1964 Rae JohnstoneRae JohnstoneOccupationJockeyBorn13 April 1905New South WalesDied29 April 1964 1964 04 29 aged 59 Major racing winsBritish Classic Race Wins 12 2 000 Guineas 1934 1 000 Guineas 1935 1947 1950 Epsom Oaks 1947 1950 1954 Epsom Derby 1948 1950 1956 St Leger Stakes 1950 1951 French Classic Race Wins 12 Poule d Essai des Pouliches 1935 1950 1951 Poule d Essai des Poulains 1939 1949 Prix De Diane 1947 Prix du Jockey Club 1948 1950 1952 Grand Prix de Paris 1948 Prix Royal Oak 1951 1954 Irish Classic Race Wins 7 Irish Derby 1948 1949 Irish Oaks 1950 Irish 2000 Guineas 1953 1955 Irish St Leger 1953 Irish 1000 Guineas 1956 Other Major VictoriesAJC Railway Handicap 1921 Oakleigh Plate 1931 AJC Oaks 1931 Grand Prix de Saint Cloud 1934 Prix de la Foret 1935 1950 1956 Prix Vermeille 1945 Prix de l Arc de Triomphe 1945 1954 Prix Jacques Le Marois 1946 1949 Prix Morny 1948 1951 Cheveley Park Stakes 1949 1955 Prix Robert Papin 1950 1952 Prix d Ispahan 1951 1952 Dewhurst Stakes 1951 Prix Lupin 1954 Champion Stakes 1956 Significant horsesColombo Mesa Imprudence Camaree My Love Galcador Lavandin Asmena Sun Cap Scratch Talma Sayani Nikellora Sica Boy Contents 1 Background 2 Riding career 3 Riding style 4 Later life 5 Personal life 6 ReferencesBackground editRae Johnstone was born to Robert James Johnstone a coalminer and Elizabeth Johnstone nee Harvey in 1905 in New Lambton a suburb of Newcastle New South Wales In later life he was somewhat evasive when talking about his origins claiming that his original surname was Davies and on others that he was of Portuguese descent There is some evidence however that he may have attempted to conceal the fact that he was of Australian Aborigine heritage 2 Early in his riding career he was nicknamed Togo after Admiral Togo on account of his dark complexion and oriental appearance Johnstone reportedly found the name offensive 3 Riding career editJohnstone began his riding career in Australia winning his first race in 1920 at the age of 15 He had several brushes with the racing authorities and received a two year ban in 1927 after he conspired to lose a race 3 In 1931 he was the Champion Jockey in Sydney and began to attract attention from abroad By that time he had won more than 600 races in Australia and also ridden successfully in India 1 In the following year he travelled to France to take up a position as the retained jockey for Pierre Wertheimer and moved to England two years later to ride for Lord Glanely He made an immediate impact by winning the 2000 Guineas aboard Colombo but was criticised for his tactics when finishing third on the same colt in the Epsom Derby and returned to France shortly afterwards In the following year he partnered the French trained filly Mesa to win the 1000 Guineas 4 5 In his early career Johnstone had been known to bet of his mounts but gave up gambling on his second marriage in 1940 1 During the Second World War Johnstone was rejected for military service and briefly went back to India before resuming his riding career in France In 1942 he was interned by the occupying forces but returned to race riding in late 1944 3 In 1945 he won the Prix de l Arc de Triomphe on Nikellora 4 In the immediate post war period Johnstone had great success riding French trained horses in major British races Between 1947 and 1956 he won the 1000 Guineas on Imprudence and Camaree the Derby on My Love Galcador and Lavandin the Epsom Oaks on Imprudence Asmena and Sun Cap and the St Leger on Scratch and Talma In France he won a second Arc de Triomphe on Sica Boy in 1954 Arguably the best horse he rode however was Sayani on whom he won the Cambridgeshire Handicap in 1946 4 5 Johntone regarded his Derby win on My Love as his greatest achievement He rode in the United States but did not enjoy the experience commenting There s no atmosphere As far as I can make out people go to races in America to eat sandwiches and hot dogs and to bet on a number 1 Riding style editJohntone was known for his judgment of pace and mastery of waiting tactics 4 He acquired the nickname The Crocodile because he comes from behind and eats you up He was also reluctant to use the whip on horses who were already beaten which led to accusations of a lack of effort He defended himself by saying If the owner wants me to place I ll try But I don t like to ride a horse into the ground for nothing 6 Later life editJohnstone retired from riding to become a trainer 4 He died in Paris on 29 April 1964 after suffering a heart attack at Le Tremblay racecourse 6 Personal life editJohnstone was married twice In June 1925 he married Ruby Isabel Hornery Ford but their partnership was short lived In 1940 he married Marie Marcelle Augustine Goube a former dancer at the Folies Bergere His second marriage lasted until his death although he also carried on a long term relationship with a mistress Margo Winnick 3 References edit a b c d McHale William 22 July 1957 Exit The Crocodile Sports Illustrated Maynard John 24 October 2013 Aborigines and the Sport of Kings Aboriginal Studies Press p 59 ISBN 9781922059543 a b c d Lemon Andrew Australian Dictionary of Biography National Centre of Biography Australian National University a b c d e Mortimer Roger Onslow Richard Willett Peter 1978 Biographical Encyclopedia of British Flat Racing Macdonald and Jane s ISBN 0 354 08536 0 a b Morris Tony Randall John 1999 A Century of Champions Portway Press ISBN 9781901570151 a b Rae Johnstone Leading jockey The New York Times 30 April 1964 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Rae Johnstone amp oldid 1170086420, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
