Jonathan Powell pays tribute to the determination and stamina of champion jump jockey Richard Johnson

JONATHAN POWELL

Richard Johnson

Jump Jockeys are riding longer these days despite the ever present hazards of their perilous trade. Richard Johnson, the tireless dual champion, is 40, the estimable Noel Fehily even older and, as for old Father Time Andrew Thornton, he is nearer 50 and shows no sign of slowing down.
It’s all in marked condition contrast to the days when the late, great Josh Gifford retired at the age of 27. To be fair he did start a lot younger, too, as he was appre...