VALE JIM JOHNSON 1929 – 2021
- Andrew Lemon, 25 February 2021
The Adelaide Mail first noticed the jockey in November 1945: “Little Jimmy Johnson, who scales at 5st. 4lbs [33.5kg] and is only 17, is not likely to forget today when he rode the first winner to beat the favourite” – and was suspended for two months for crossing to the rails too early! He came back in style. Jimwas four times Adelaide’s premier jockey before moving to Melbourne. In a career lasting 22 years, Jim Johnson won more than 2000 races - including three Melbourne Cups, on Gatum Gatum (1963) and twice on Rain Lover (1968 and 1969). A natural lightweight but vigorous rider, he gained a devoted public following through his long association with Rain Lover and also with Tobin Bronze (two W.S. Cox Plates and a Caulfield Cup). Jim Johnson was inducted into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame in 2009 and was a regular and much-loved ambassador for the annual Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour.
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