Website design By BotEap.comMalcolm Johnston was from Theo Green school of jockeys that produced many champions like Gordon Spinks and Darren Beadman to name a few. Born in 1956, Johnston grew up in Orange, western New South Wales, before joining Theo Green at Rosehill and then Randwick. His first major career win came in the 1976 VRC Lightning Handicap at Desirable, trained by Colin Hayes. He was also a stable jockey for trainer Tommy Smith, which was the start of his association with Kingston Town.

Website design By BotEap.com‘Miracle’ Johnston, as he was known, soon became a superstar in the racing world with a record partnership with Kingston Town. The duo won 25 races out of 30, which included five Group One titles when Kingstown Town was three years old, including the 1980 Cox Plate. The duo almost took the 1982 Melbourne Cup but lost to Gurners Lane when Johnston admitted having started the final race early, leaving Kingston Town exhausted towards the finish line.

Website design By BotEap.comHe won 3 Premierships as a trainee and finished his career with 3 Sydney Premierships and 3 Runners-up titles. In his first season as a trainee during 1973-74, he finished second in the prime ministerial position. The following season he won the Sydney Jockeys Premiership title as an apprentice, breaking Jack Thompson’s record with 107.5 wins. His skills took him around the world to England, France, Hong Kong, the Middle East and New Zealand. At the time of his retirement, Johnston had 39 Group One wins and over 2,000 winners under his belt. His major wins include the Caulfield Cup, two Epsom Handicaps, two Oaks, five Derbies including the AJC and VTC Derbies, the WS Cox Plate, a double Doncaster Handicap, two Lightning Stakes, the 1980 Sydney Cup, the STC Tanvred Stakes , the STC Rosehill Guineas and an Adelaide Cup.

Website design By BotEap.comJohnston was virtually unbeatable, especially during his association with Kingston Town from 1979 to 1982. He was also suspended 56 times, costing him some titles, including the 1981 MVRC Cox Plate. On one occasion Johnston was suspended by the stewards for a charge of careless driving in the 1978 Wyong Cup, and was ordered to pay $121,490 in damages to cyclist Glenn Frazer. Frazer sued Johnston for a broken left thigh, serious back injury and other injuries. Johnston denied any act of negligence, but the Supreme Court of New South Wales ruled in favor of Frazer. The court stated that a competitor could be held liable for an injury caused by an error in judgment.

Website design By BotEap.comCome what may, Malcolm Johnston was a naturally gifted jockey who then made the decision to start training in 1997. He established his headquarters in Hawkesbury, training over 200 winners that included Stakes winners like Stella Maree and Shags. With his wealth of driving experience, he joined the Racing NSW team as ‘Training Officer-Hunter and North West Region’, in charge of 200 trainees. The legendary cyclist is also a corporate speaker, known for adding a few laughs to everything he says. Naturally, Johnston claims to have been the court jester in the jockey room.

Website design By BotEap.comBut there is one thing that Johnston takes seriously. Malcolm Johnston honestly believes that Kingston Town should be the sole criteria for the term ‘Champion’.