Top UK Trainer Visits Te Akau Stud

Top English trainer in New Zealand for summer break - reports New Zealand Thoroughbred Marketing:

One of Great Britain's leading training talents is enjoying a two- week summer holiday in New Zealand after a friendship forged over thirty years ago brought about an opportunity to visit the country for the first time.

Born in Scotland, Mark Johnston's interest in racing began with his father's ownership of thoroughbred racehorses and by age 14 he knew he was destined for the training ranks.

Before he commenced his training career he took the opportunity to study for a veterinarian qualification in Glasgow in 1978 where he met fellow student Douglas Black and established a life-long friendship.

Black moved to New Zealand in 1986 and during a return to Glasgow by the Hamilton Veterinary Services Director in November to celebrate the thirty year reunion of their 1983 graduation, Black convinced Johnston to spend a two-week sojourn in his adopted homeland.

“Mark said he would have about 12-14 days break around this time and wondered if he could fit in a visit to both Australia and here so I said to him not to bother with the Aussies and just come directly here” laughed Black.

Since commencing training in 1987 Johnston has quickly established himself as a star of the British flat racing scene where he has produced over one hundred winners each season for the past 19 years. In 2009 he became the first trainer to produce over 200 flat winners in a season and has replicated that feat in 3 of the next 4 years.

This year he is currently sitting on 216 victories and needs just one more winner to establish a new record for the stable.

“We've got three more racedays to get the one win to set the record so hopefully we can achieve it,” said Johnston.

While Johnston had not been to New Zealand before he was well aware of the quality of the New Zealand bred racehorse after several unsuccessful attempts on the world famous Melbourne Cup for his international client base.

“We've had a few goes at the Melbourne Cup with Double Trigger, who started favourite in 1995, probably one that New Zealand punters would remember while our last attempt was with Jukebox Jury in 2011,” he said.

“It's a very big and expensive task to get a horse down to Australia for the race and we have learnt a lot along the way but it does hold a real fascination for a number of our international owners so I wouldn't rule out seeing us there again.”

Johnston was quick to point out that he was thoroughly enjoying the racing based activities that he had engaged in since arriving in the country.

“We've managed to fit in a day at the races at Ellerslie on Boxing Day and some time at several studs and racing operations and I've thoroughly enjoyed everything we've seen so far,” he commented.

“We've had an opportunity to see a number of yearlings at Pencarrow Stud, Brighthill Farm and Cambridge Stud and they are simply outstanding. We don't buy horses at this age in the UK so I have taken particular interest in their preparation and just how superbly they are presented.

“I also got to meet Zabeel at Cambridge Stud which was a real highlight as his record and reputation on the international breeding and racing stage is hugely impressive.”
Johnston was also intrigued by some of the unique features of the New Zealand breeding scene.

“I had the opportunity to spend an evening at the Te Akau Farm property of David Ellis and I am fascinated with the sheep and cattle operation they run there along with the racing arm as there is nothing like that back at home.”

Over the next week Johnston and his son who has accompanied him on the trip will spend time exploring the South Island before returning home to Middleham for the start of the new British racing season.

“We had heard so much about how green and wonderful New Zealand was and that reputation is well deserved,” he said.