“THE measure of a man’s character is not determined by how he handles his wins, but how he handles his failures”.
So Richard Johnson, the four-time champion jockey, has retired from the saddle. And for most of us who have known him for a long time it feels like a family member has left home.
I can’t tell you anything more about Johnson than has been said already about how he’s the most decent of decent people, and a super talent. A champion. A legend.
But what I can do is just put a different slant on things. Much has been written about Johnson as if he was a chocolate labrador. Perfect in every way and really rather cuddly.
But you should have no doubt that every winner meant something to Johnson. He was absolutely fearless. A hard man. Rock hard.
Lockdown meant I was one of a very few people who were on track for this season’s Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot.
And Johnson’s reaction after his defeat on Thyme Hill – at the hands of Paisley Park – is something I will always remember. The screams of annoyance still ring in my ears.
An initial loud howl of “f…” was followed a longer “f………………”. And the shake of his head in disbelief at the defeat was clear for all to see.
I loved that passion from Johnson, and it just showed what the game still meant to the man twenty one years after he landed the Long Walk on Anzum.
The latter, of course, was given one of the great Johnson drives when scoring in the Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham over 20 years ago.
Yes. Johnson was a good guy. Yes. Johnson was a champion. But also yes. He was hard. It mattered.
I have tried to keep on course bookmakers – and their plight – in the news as much as I can during the Covid-19 pandemic. As a group they have been hit hard and had little-to-no support from Government or racing.
Now, though, it’s time to kick their ‘body’ up the backside.
It was typical the other day when The British Racecourse Bookmakers’ Association spoke of its shock at the announcement by the Starting Price Regulatory Commission that the starting price of runners in British races will continue to be determined using mainly off-course prices, even when on-course bookmakers return to the track.
You honestly would have thought the world had ended. Moan moan moan.
On course bookmakers should, however, be celebrating the news. It’s actually the big chance they have needed.
We all now know that a SP off course means that on average the top three in the market – those most backed by punters – are at shorter odds than they would if the SP was decided on course.
So, the on-course bookies now have the chance to advertise better odds for punters.
Once the on course bookies are back, get a few statistics together after a reasonable time and show that odds are better for punters if you bet with bookmakers on track.
Then, market it the right way and make sure every punter sees the difference in black and white. In the face marketing. Online, in papers and in racecards and on track TV.
If they are sensible, that is what bookies on track should be getting the TBRA to do. This is a huge chance.
Finally, it’s Grand National week. And I can’t wait for the big race Saturday when I’ll be telling you all my thoughts on the Aintree spectacular in SE. Happy Easter!
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Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
- Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
- Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
- Never chase their losses
- Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
- Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
- Gamble Aware – www.begambleaware.org
