Bio: Mark Johnston has the distinction of being the most successful trainer, numerically, in the history of British horse racing. In August 2018, the victory of Poet’s Society in the Clipper Logistics Handicap at York took his career total to 4,194, surpassing the previous figure achieved by Richard Hannon Snr., who retired in 2003.
Born in Glasgow, Johnston initially qualified in, and practised, veterinary medicine before embarking on his training career in 1987. He sent out his first winner, Hinari Video, at Carlisle in July that year from his original base at Bank End Stables in North Somercotes, near Louth, Lincolnshire. The following year he bought his current base, Kingsley Park, a 270-acre yard in Middleham, near Leyburn, North Yorkshire and has never really looked back. At the time of writing, he has saddled 20 Group 1 winners, including two British Classic winners – Mister Baileys in the 2,000 Guineas in 1994 and Attraction in the 1,000 Guineas in 2004 – and no fewer than 43 winners at Royal Ascot.
Collectively, his career victories have earned in excess of £53 million in prize money. Interestingly, Johnston names Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt of 2004, Shamardal, whom he saddled to win three races, including the Veuve Clicquot Vintage Stakes at Goodwood and the Darley Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket, as the best horse he has ever trained.
On 29th October 2019 Mark Johnston broke the record for the most British Flat racing winners in a year, reaching 236 wins with the help of 8-1 shot Bavardages.
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