Shocked Richard Johnson revels in 'massive honour' after being made an OBE

Richard Johnson: champion jockey has ridden more than 3,500 winnersCredit: Edward Whitaker

Richard Johnson expressed immense pride at being acknowledged in the Queen's New Year's Honours list on Friday and said it was extra special to be recognised with an OBE.

The winner of more than 3,500 jumps races in Britain, Johnson is one of the most decorated and popular riders of the modern era whose CV also includes two Cheltenham Gold Cups, a Champion Chase and Champion Hurdle.

He has also been champion jockey for the last three seasons, and takes particular pleasure from this latest recognition, for services to horseracing.

"It's a massive honour to receive something like this and it's also a bit of a shock," he said.

"It's amazing to get talked about in the same breath as a lot of these people and it was certainly a nice surprise when I got home and saw the letter. Racing has been my whole life and I think it's for duration more than anything else."

The 41-year-old, who is showing no signs of slowing down and barring injury is likely to be champion for a fourth time this term, added: "I've been very fortunate to have a fantastic career and I'm lucky to be honoured for something I love doing.

"It's very special to be recognised by the Queen on a national level and it's something I'm very proud of."

Much of Johnson's success has come in partnership with Somerset trainer Philip Hobbs, who said: "I don't think we've played much of a part in it! I think he's been much more helpful to us than we have to him in that he's the complete role model. He's so reliable and there's no side to him at all."

The Hobbs stable enjoyed a double in the Queen's honours list, as long-standing patron Alan Peterson was also made an OBE for services to charitable fundraising in Wales.

His familiar black and light blue quartered silks have been carried to notable wins by Fair Along, Massini's Maguire, Village Vic and Copper Bleu and Hobbs added: "It's been great to have such nice horses for Alan and it's great to hear he's been recognised.

"I knew of his charity work and it's fantastic. We've had horses for him for a long time and had a lot of success."

There was also recognition for Raye Wilkinson, a former Racing Welfare stalwart in the north, who was made an MBE for services to young people and elderly staff in the horseracing community.

Wilkinson, an ex-social worker, first became involved in racing in 1966 when he arranged a job at Ernie Weymes's yard for a lad from a Bradford children's home, and is still involved in the sport in a staff welfare role at Mark Johnston's powerful Middleham stables.

The 76-year-old said: "It was very much a surprise. It took my breath away because it wasn't something I expected or thought about.

"It came out of the blue and I was astounded. I'm proud somebody has recognised it – there must be two or three people who think I've done a good job, which means something.

"This award is on behalf of all stable staff and I have nothing but admiration for them. They all live away from their parental home, work hard, play hard and invariably keep smiling."

Dr Henrietta Bowden-Jones, founder and director of the National Problem Gambling Clinic, was another honoured with an OBE, for services to addiction treatment and research.