Richard Johnson's teenage daughter gains dramatic first win

Seventeen-year-old Willow Johnson, daughter of four-time champion jockey Richard Johnson, rode her first winner in dramatic fashion at Higham on Saturday when partnering Jimmy The Digger to victory in the 3m ladies’ open.

The race took a decisive turn when 11-time champion lady rider Gina Andrews parted company with 2023 Aintree Foxhunters’ winner Famous Clermont at the fourth fence, leaving the contest to develop into a match between Jimmy The Digger and the Edward Turner-trained Janika, ridden by Charlotte Butler.

Johnson tracked her rival before delivering a late challenge, and a bold jump at the final fence brought her upsides. Despite losing both irons on landing, she showed remarkable determination to drive the veteran on and prevail by half a length before unseating after the line.

“I’m over the moon,” Johnson said. “Thankfully we made the five-hour trip worthwhile. Jimmy is a great schoolmaster who looks after me and I’m very grateful to Henry Daly for letting me ride such an incredible horse. 

“I’m learning all the time and, once I finish my A-levels, I hope to focus more on my riding. I’d love to follow in Dad’s footsteps, but it’s still early days.” 

Jimmy The Digger, in the pointing ranks after a successful career under Rules for Daly, proved the perfect partner for Johnson’s breakthrough success. 

Richard Johnson said: “We’re all so proud of Willow. To be competitive and win on only her second ride is fantastic and she showed great determination after losing her irons at the last. She’s balancing her A-levels with riding, and we’re excited to see what she can do next.” 

The memorable victory could mark the start of a promising partnership, with Johnson hopeful of building on a first success unlikely to be forgotten in a hurry. 

Grace A Vous Enki made it 10 from 10 at Larkhill as he took the feature race of the day, The Coronation Gold Cup, for a second time, making trainer Chris Barber’s first runner in the race a winning one. 

Barber said: “He’s an absolute star of a horse. The Sheppard’s have done a phenomenal job getting him to where he’s got and we’re just very lucky to be reaping the rewards now. That was very special and he basically galloped the rest of the field into submission. 

“Today was the main target, we’ll see how he comes out of it, but we have no set plans. There are still a few meetings here [Larkhill] so whether he comes back here or Clive Hitchings the owner is a big fan of The Lady Dudley Cup [Chaddesley Corbett] so I’d imagine we’ll probably have a crack that if we can.” 

The weekend saw the first point-to-point hands and heels races take place at both Higham and Friars Haugh. The first, at Higham on Saturday, was won by Cerys Sheehy on Fran and Charlie Poste’s, Hubrisko. 

Poste, Chairman of the Point-to-Point Owners and Riders Association (PPORA) and a certified jockey coach has been a strong advocate for the introduction of the Jockey Club & PPA sponsored Hands and Heels series. 

Poste says: “It’s something I was very keen on. Hands and heels racing has proved incredibly successful under rules in helping young riders hone their skills, and it felt like a very natural fit for British point-to-pointing.” 

He believes the series aligns perfectly with the sport’s wider purpose. 

“Pointing has always been an academy for young riders and young horses. Having a race series that develops core skills and mirrors professional racing must be a good thing.” 

The second of the hands and heels series races was taken by William Brown aboard Arthur’s Seat at Friars Haugh. 

Milborne St Andrew, BH20 7JN, First Race: 11:00am, 7 Races 

Duncombe Park, YO62 5EB, First Race: 12:00pm, 7 Races