Racing unites in praise for Richard Johnson as he receives New Year's honour

Weighing-room colleagues past and present lined up to lead the tributes to champion jockey Richard Johnson after he was made an OBE in the New Year’s Honours list.

Johnson's dedication and character were lauded by those who have got to know him best during his career, in which he has won numerous top races, including the Cheltenham Gold Cup twice, and been crowned champion rider three times.

For many years, Johnson sat beside 20-time champion jockey Sir Anthony McCoy at the races, and the legendary rider was among those paying tribute on Saturday.

"Congratulations to [Richard] on receiving an OBE in the New Year's Honours list," McCoy wrote on Twitter. "A great champion/man and well-deserved recognition."

Summing up the reaction among the riders to Johnson's honour, Tom Scudamore said: "I've known Dickie for too long and we're all getting older now! It's a phenomenal achievement and we're all delighted for him."

High praise of Johnson also came from Barry Geraghty, who said the OBE was recognition of the rider's "commitment to the sport for so many years", while trainer Tim Vaughan labelled him "an outstanding sportsman and role model".

Much like McCoy, to whom he finished second in 16 jockeys' championships, Johnson has established a reputation for hard work and an overwhelming desire to win on any horse, anywhere.

It is that dedication champion trainer Nicky Henderson saluted, and he said: "It's always great when someone in racing gets honoured and deservedly so. If you take all of the sportsmen this year, nobody has done better than he has.

"He spent all those years in AP's shadow, but he's been first or second for 20-odd years now. His input is enormous and his work ethic is unbelievable – he'll go to Timbuktu for a ride. He's tireless and a true champion."

Johnson the family man, with (l-r) Caspar, Percy and wife Fiona, with daughter Willow at SandownCredit: Edward Whitaker

Former trainer Noel Chance was among the first to utilise Johnson's skills in the saddle, claiming early successes with Mr Mulligan and a Cheltenham Gold Cup with Looks Like Trouble, and has since become family after the rider married his daughter Fiona in 2007.

"It's marvellous," Chance said. "From a professional standpoint he's genuinely brilliant. He was always professional, modest and polite even as a 7lb claimer and he rode for me a lot from when I first came to England.

"Family wise I've been fortunate to get to know him from when he married my daughter and they have had three wonderful children together. To see him look after them all puts everything into perspective and he's a real blue chip person – and that's true of all of his family."

Chance added: "It's absolutely deserved and I've been spending Christmas with them all and he's been very excited about it. He really appreciates it and what it means."

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