Mark Johnston praises ‘master of judging pace’ Joe Fanning after retirement

Mark Johnston was full of praise for Joe Fanning’s expertise in the saddle after the Gold Cup-winning jockey called time on an illustrious career that brought about almost 3000 winners.

Famed for his front-running prowess, Fanning reaped the rewards of his long association with Johnston with Group One victories aboard The Last Lion and Subjectivist, who would not only land the Prix Royal-Oak but also the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot in 2021.

Johnston told the Press Association: “The Gold Cup is a very special race to me and it was just a fantastic ride as was his ride on the horse in Dubai before that.

“Those I suppose are both relatively recent but they stick out in my mind as they were very important. He had ridden two Group One winners before the Gold Cup, The Last Lion and Subjectivist in France but I think the Gold Cup was the big deal.

“They were tremendous rides on Subjectivist but so was the one on The Last Lion when he won the Middle Park on him. He had Blue Point behind him who was a short-priced favourite that day and went on to be both a great racehorse and now a sire.

“It was an interesting one as there was a very strong headwind and people said you couldn’t make all that day but Joe did his usual, conserving energy from the front, and led them a merry dance. I think that was probably an underrated ride.”

He went on: “There is normally more credit given for rides when jockeys come from behind and I’ve never been a jockey, but to my mind it must be more difficult to judge the pace when you have nothing to aim at and doing it from the front and Joe has been a master at judging pace.

“It’s an acquired skill over a long period of time and something we are going to miss.”

Seen as part of the furniture of at Johnston’s Kingsley Park base, Fanning first linked up with the Middleham operation in 1990, going full-time with the stable in 1995 and being a vital member of the team ever since.

The 55-year-old’s career was put on hold when he was discovered to have prostate cancer, undergoing surgery earlier this year and subsequently making a full recovery.

And while it was hoped he would make a return to the race-riding and resume his usual role within the Johnston racing machine now headed by Mark’s son Charlie, the Irishman has now decided to hang up his saddle.

Johnston added: “I knew this moment had to come and it’s very sad, and I would have loved to see him have gone out with a bang on his own terms which is a little bit of a shame, but at the same time I totally understand his decision.

“I just hope he will continue to be associated with our stable and he is worth his weight in gold, even on the gallops.

“However, his health is the most important thing and luckily it looks like all is going be well in that sense.

“It’s a new trainer in place here now and he has to find a new jockey. What Charlie is going to need now is a Joe Fanning to fall back on and be a mainstay.”

Just six jockeys have ridden more Flat winners in Britain than Fanning who made the switch to Yorkshire, a place he has called home ever since, in 1988.

His first winner came over hurdles at Sedgefield but after a fall at Newcastle soon turned his attention to the level where he enjoyed a fruitful career, becoming one of the weighing room’s longest-serving members.

In a statement, Fanning said: “After discussing it with my family and close friends, I’ve decided to retire from race riding with immediate effect.

“Although I made a full recovery from prostate cancer at the end of last year, I feel now is the right time, with so much of the current season already behind us.

“I’ve been incredibly fortunate to enjoy a career in the UK since arriving to join Tommy “Squeak” Fairhurst in 1988, and to have ridden close to 3,000 winners worldwide.

“There are so, so many people to thank, but it goes without saying that my association with Mark, Deirdre and Charlie Johnston, spanning three decades, has been a huge part of my career and the source of so many memorable winners.

“I’ve been lucky enough to experience countless special days in racing, but The Last Lion winning the Group One Middle Park Stakes in 2016, and Subjectivist’s victory in the Ascot Gold Cup in 2021 in Dr Jim Walker’s colours, will always stand out.

“Looking back, it feels especially fitting that my final ride was a winner for Johnston Racing aboard Loquella at Newcastle last November.

“Make no mistake, I’m not disappearing from racing. I’ll continue helping my wife, Sarah, with our sales and pre-training business, and I will also carry on riding work at Johnston Racing, where I was this morning.

“Finally, I’d like to thank every owner, trainer, stable staff, jockey, racecourse official and racing fan who has supported me throughout my career. I’ve been privileged to do a job I’ve loved for so many years, and I’ll always be grateful for the opportunities and friendships the sport has given me.”