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Like father, like daughter – Johnson joins the 1000 club; Vale Sam Brosnan; Golden Sixty chases third Group One;
Like father, like daughter – Johnson joins the 1000 club
Former jockey Peter Johnson may have ridden 1370 winners in New Zealand, but it was at Te Aroha on Wednesday that he experienced one of his proudest moments in racing.
His daughter, premiership-leading jockey Danielle Johnson, brought up her 1000th win in the saddle when piloting home Feelin' Fancy to win the Apparelmaster Waikato 1400 for trainer Jamie Richards.
While unable to be on course to celebrate the victory with his daughter, he was able to watch her reach the milestone remotely at his South Auckland property.
"I was out on the farm and I was able to watch it, it was bloody brilliant," he said. "It was great to see her get it."
Potentially the first father-daughter duo to achieve the feat globally, Johnson said he was more animated watching his daughter attain the milestone than he was when he reached the 1000-win mark himself.
"It was very exciting watching her get it," he said.
Johnson rode in a number of racing jurisdictions during his time in the saddle and while he enjoys watching his daughter ride, he said he is aware, through his own experiences, of what a demanding career it can be.
"I rode in Singapore, Australia, and Macau - Danielle went to school there for a while," he said.
"I had a few injuries in my riding career, so it can be a bit nerve-wracking watching her ride, just for that reason."
Johnson said his record-setting daughter's career was sealed with her love for riding and dislike for school.
"She was always into pony club and didn't like school that much," he said. "She started to ride track work and it has all gone from there."
Vale Sam Brosnan
Former studmaster and trainer Sam Brosnan has passed away aged 99.
Brosnan, father of successful trainers Mark, Peter and Maryann Brosnan, trained a host of winners from their former Oaklands Stud base.
Brosnan stood a number of successful stallions including Palm Beach, Belmura, St Puckle and Neanderthal, the latter sire of 13-time winner Our Countess, placed in both the New Zealand and Wellington Cups and dam of Great Northern Hurdle winner Star Count.
Our Countess was also the grand dam of 2011 Great Northern Hurdle winner Southern Countess who was trained by Mark Brosnan for Sam and his late wife Marj.
St Puckle was the sire of Lloyd Williams' first Melbourne Cup winner What A Nuisance, in addition to Group One winners Oopik and Kenann.
Brosnan was noted as a trainer of jumpers, while he also trained Lady Sue to win the Gr.2 Avondale Championship Stakes.
A service to celebrate the life of Brosnan will be held in the Rosa Chapel in Matamata on Thursday at 1:30 pm.
Golden Sixty chases third Group One
Golden Sixty is primed to reproduce his best as he bids for a 13th consecutive victory and third Group One win on Sunday.
He will return to 2000m for the first time since the 2020 Hong Kong Derby in the Gr.1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup at Sha Tin this weekend.
Dismissing suggestions of building pressure, jockey Vincent Ho retains a measured confidence Golden Sixty can again perform at elite level.
"He's feeling well and we're confident," Ho said.
Questioned about the star miler's rise to 2000m for the first time in almost a year, Ho acknowledged Exultant's presence, but remains steadfast in his belief Golden Sixty will still reel off phenomenal late sectionals.
"A mile and 2000m, I don't think there's a problem," Ho said. "He can still sprint home over the last 400m in the same time."
Having ridden Exultant in three races in 2018, Ho is respectful of Tony Cruz's warhorse.
"Definitely, he's the Horse of the Year and he's one of the best stayers in Hong Kong so, for sure, this race is a good challenge but I'm still pretty confident with Golden Sixty," he said.
"He's (Exultant) one of the best stayers. He can maintain a high speed for 2000m, 2400m, so it's (stamina) not a problem for him.
"He is a totally different horse to Golden Sixty. It's going to be fun."