Jim Johnson (jockey)
Encyclopedia
Jim Johnson is remembered primarily for winning the Melbourne Cup
on Gatum Gatum and twice on Rain Lover
. He was also noted for his unusual riding style of virtually standing up. He also rode in a strange, jerky way. Jim Johnson is one of the few great jockeys to win the Melbourne cup three times.
Despite his unorthodox style, Johnson was often supreme in tight finishes, being one of the strongest whip riders of his time.
Jim lived much of his life in Adelaide though after the death of his late partner Patricia Delores Mary Prendagas Jimmy returned to Melbourne to be close to his family. Jim has been
honoured since his retirement as a jockey with riding a tribute lap aboard Might and Power around the Flemington racetrack at the beginning of the Melbourne cup.
Jim was inducted to the Australian Racing Hall of Fame
in August 2009.
Melbourne Cup
The Melbourne Cup is Australia's major Thoroughbred horse race. Marketed as "the race that stops a nation", it is a 3,200 metre race for three-year-olds and over. It is the richest "two-mile" handicap in the world, and one of the richest turf races...
on Gatum Gatum and twice on Rain Lover
Rain Lover
Rain Lover was a champion Australian Thoroughbred racehorse. He was one of the very few horses to win the Melbourne Cup more than once. Rain Lover was sired by the good racehorse, Latin Lover his dam Rain Spot was by Valognes .He was owned and bred by Clifford A. Reid, who won the 1945 Melbourne...
. He was also noted for his unusual riding style of virtually standing up. He also rode in a strange, jerky way. Jim Johnson is one of the few great jockeys to win the Melbourne cup three times.
Despite his unorthodox style, Johnson was often supreme in tight finishes, being one of the strongest whip riders of his time.
Jim lived much of his life in Adelaide though after the death of his late partner Patricia Delores Mary Prendagas Jimmy returned to Melbourne to be close to his family. Jim has been
honoured since his retirement as a jockey with riding a tribute lap aboard Might and Power around the Flemington racetrack at the beginning of the Melbourne cup.
Jim was inducted to the Australian Racing Hall of Fame
Australian Racing Hall of Fame
The Australian Racing Hall of Fame is part of the Australian Racing Museum which documents and honours the horseracing legends of Australia. The museum officially opened in 1981 and created the Hall of Fame in 2000....
in August 2009.