From Jan. 1, Charlie Johnston will join his father Mark Johnston, Britain's winning-most trainer in history, on a joint license at Kingsley Park in Middleham. The news was first reported by Thoroughbred Racing Commentary.
“I feel that there should be recognition of that,” said Mark Johnston of his son's pivotal role at the stable. “He has been doing that work for the past three years. But also the time has come for Charlie to share the responsibility as well. He has passed all his modules at the BHA, and his application has been approved.”
Charlie Johnston told Racing Post that the change was part of a plan that will see him eventually fully take over at Kingsley Park.
“We often like to have a five to ten-year plan in our business and the goal of me having the sole licence has been in the back of our minds for quite some time,” he said. “It's what I've always been working towards, and when they introduced training partnerships it offered us an obvious route to get from A to B. It seemed a good opportunity to do it rather than make abrupt an change.
“I'm in a very fortunate position to draw on dad's 30 years and 4,800 plus winners of experience, but at the same time have some youth and drive to push the string onwards and upwards on to greater heights.”
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