Street chuffed to see CWJ, the magic man, hit 2500 milestone on oldtimer Lincoln Hills

Lincoln Farms boss John Street probably got more of a thrill from seeing Chris Johnson get his 2500th winner on Lincoln Hills than the remarkable jockey did.

Johnson’s remarks on becoming the only rider in the country to reach the milestone was that it was “just a number” but Street revelled in the moment which came at Ascot Park yesterday.

“There were some good sprinters in the race and I thought as a seven-year-old Lincoln Hills may not have the speed to keep up.

“But Chris rode him beautifully in midfield and moved at just the right time on the corner.”

From there the horse’s short but effective sprint was put to the best effect and he ran out a comfortable one and three quarter length winner in a swift 1:10.8 for the 1200 metres.

“Chris is an amazing rider with great judgement of pace,” Street said.

“Most of the horses we’ve sent down to Michael House have been at the end of their careers but Chris and his partner Nicci Brown are doing a great job getting them going and we’re getting a thrill out of it as well.”

House, who is primarily a leading harness trainer but dabbles in thoroughbreds, says he’s hugely thankful for the support given him by John and Lynne Street, who race Lincoln Hills with their business manager Ian Middleton.

Along with previous wins by Benny Lincoln, Louie Lincoln and Master Lincoln, House has hit on a winning formula with Lincoln Farms but he knows it’s all down to his staff.

“I’m just a hanger on. There’s always a cheap way to become famous and I love being famous. But it was Nicci and Chris’ moment yesterday - they got that horse to win and they labelled it.

“Chris’ ride on the horse was perfect - he won the race,” said House whose busy schedule saw him drive three horses at his Prebbleton track at 5.30am today, before flying to Palmerston North where he worked four more, and was due to land in Auckland at lunchtime to meet up with his family prior to Sunday’s standardbred yearling sale at Karaka.

House says he can’t understand why mainstream media hasn’t picked up on the CWJ story.

At 57, the oldest jockey still competing, Johnson had had a wonderful, chequered career.

“We talk about legendary riders back in the day but his story is just as brilliant - sex, drugs and rock ’n’ roll.

“Sit beside him and he seems very frail, but he’s had years of starvation and he’s riding as light as he ever has.”

Johnson’s previous battle with addiction is well documented and his record tally, which has eclipsed the previous records of David Walsh (2451 wins), Lance O’Sullivan (2355), Noel Harris (2167) and Bill Skelton (2156), came despite giving the game away for seven years in 1998.

New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing stats show Johnson, who won at his first ride, on Noble Star on January 1, 1981, as having ridden in 19,485 races, and won more than $31million in stakes.

A total of 137 of his 2500 wins have been at Group or Listed level.

Johnson was quoted yesterday as saying that the figure “showed more than anything that racing has been very good to me. It’s nice to get any winner but I can tell you number 2501 will be even better.”

House reckons Lincoln Hills will add further to the Magic Man’s tally but he might not be 2501 as he will have a good four or five weeks in between runs.

“He’ll get to race in the same rating 74 grade as yesterday so, while up in weight, he has to be hard to beat again.”