Latest from Horse & Hound in Howard-johnson

Popular National Hunt star bows out

Martha Terry — Mon, 28 Apr 2014 13:00:33 +0000

Top-class chaser Tidal Bay has been retired at the age of 13. The Wylies’ gelding won 15 of his 42 starts, including Grade 1s at the Cheltenham Festival, Aintree and Leopardstown.

He was a horse who was known for doing his own thing, in his own time, his own way — a characteristic which earned him a legion of fans.

Despite his enigmatic style, he went unbeaten when first campaigned over fences between April 2007 and November 2008, bar 1 race in February when he went down by a neck.

His CV is headed by major wins in the Arkle, Maghull Novices’ Chase and Cleeve Hurdle for his first trainer Howard Johnson, followed by the bet365 Gold Cup, 2 West Yorkshire Hurdles and a Lexus Chase for Paul Nicholls.

His penultimate race — predicted beforehand to be his swansong — was the Grand National, for which he was top-weight. He was going well when he unseated jockey Sam Twiston-Davies.

He was officially retired at a Champions Parade (pictured) at the finale of the National Hunt season last Saturday (26 April) at Sandown Park.

Paul Nicholls described him as “an absolute legend” and while the horse has been running with credit this season — including third in the Welsh National —connections wanted to retire him at the top and in one piece.

Although Tidal Bay was very talented, he has had breathing issues and didn’t enjoy training uphill. He has rewarded connections for not attempting to battle with him, but keeping him sweet.

“He’s a real character, you have to be very careful with him in his box — sometimes he can take half an hour to catch,” Paul told H&H. “His groom Michelle Kramer and him get on fine, but she’s often covered in bruises from his bites.”

Owen Graham Wylie talked of the “pleasure and great days out” their horse had provided.

“He always does his best work at the end of the race and that gives us many exciting days,” he said. “His stable is his castle, though — woe betide anyone who enters his box without fear of being bitten.”

He won £812,978 prize-money.

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Fire at former trainer Howard Johnson’s yard “suspicious”

Amy Mathieson — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 16:03:58 +0000

A fire at former racehorse trainer Howard Johnson’s farm is being treated as “suspicious” by police.

Around 800 bales of hay — estimated to be worth about £12,000 — were destroyed by in the fire on Monday (5 November).

Police were alerted by the fire service to a blaze at White Lea Farm, Roddymoor, Crook, just before 6.30pm.

Three fire crews came out to tackle the fire but it was still being battled the next morning.

Co Durham Police today (Thursday 8 November) told H&H it was treating the fire as “suspicious”.

Police could not start investigating immediately as the fire was still smouldering for 24-hours.

“The scene of the blaze has been assessed by an investigator from the fire service and a police crime scene investigator,” said a police spokesman.

“It is believed there was a group of young people in the vicinity of the farm an hour or so before the fire was detected.”

The fire was the latest in a series of incidents involving the former trainer, who retired last year after receiving a four-year ban from racing.

He had been found guilty for running a horse that had been de-nerved, as well as givinganabolic steroids to three other horses.

In 2010 Johnson and his wife Sue were held at gunpoint when £100,000 was stolen from his home. And in 2009 six gates were stolen from his farm.

Anyone who has any information is asked to contact Crook CID at Durham Constabulary on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Trainer Howard Johnson retires after receiving four-year ban

Amy Mathieson — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 16:43:42 +0000

Racehorse trainer Howard Johnson has been banned for four years and is to retire from the sport.

The Co Durham-based trainer appeared before a British Horseracing Authority inquiry last month on welfare charges after one of his horses, Striking Article, was found to have been run eight times after having its leg “de-nerved”. Mr Johnson said he was unaware it was against the Rules.

During a claiming chase at Musselburgh on 7 February 2010 Striking Article, owned by Graham and Andrea Wylie, was pulled up with an injured tendon and subsequently put down.

A post mortem found the horse had undergone a palmar neurectomy. This procedure severs the nervous connection in the lower leg and is banned in the sport on welfare grounds as it affects the horse’s ability to feel pain.

It transpires Striking Article had undergone the banned procedure in April 2008 and run eight times since.

Mr Johnson was also charged with administering anabolic steroids to three of his horses, Whisky Magic, Mintake Pass and Montoya’s Son, also belonging to Mr and Mrs Wylie.

The trainer was banned for three years for the neurectomy charges and one for the steroids.

His fate was announced today (Friday 12 August) and he confirmed his retirement.

Paul Struthers, from the BHA said: “The Authority is satisfied that the disciplinary panel has imposed a significant and appropriate sanction. A four-year disqualification means that Howard Johnson is unable to work in or have any involvement with racing, including a prohibition on entering licensed premises such as training yards or racecourses, not just in Britain but the rest of the world.

“The Panel stated that Mr Johnson had shown a ‘reckless disregard’ for the Rules, that his behaviour ‘fell seriously short of the standard to be expected of a licensed trainer’ and that ‘any lesser penalty would undermine the confidence stakeholders in racing are entitled to hold that, reckless disregard of equine welfare, will not be tolerated’.”

And World Horse Welfare welcomed the ban saying it was “proportionate to the seriousness of his crime”.

“When we use horses in sport, that places a significant burden of responsibility on our shoulders for their welfare, and Howard Johnson simply did not live up to that responsibility,” said chief executive Roly Owers.

“He showed a callous disregard for the well-being of the horse when he made the decision – not once but eight times – to run Striking Article without any feeling in one of his forefeet. This was a reprehensible act that clearly crossed the line between the acceptable and unacceptable use of horses in sport.

“We are also dismayed that a trainer of Johnson’s experience and stature is pleading ignorance of the rules. Ignorance is no excuse for not knowing the rules but more importantly it’s no excuse for cruelty.

“This case should send out a clear message to everyone involved in racing that the welfare of the horse has to come first, not the need to win at any cost.”

Racehorse trainer Howard Johnson’s hearing adjourned

Amy Mathieson — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 13:36:58 +0000

Trainer Howard Johnson’s hearing into alleged breaches of the Rules of Racing has been adjourned until 2 August.

Mr Johnson appeared before a British Horseracing Authority inquiry last week (20-21 July) facing welfare charges, but further evidence still needs to be heard.

He faces a fine and lengthy ban after Striking Article was found to have run eight times since having its leg “de-nerved” in 2008.

Mr Johnson said he was unaware this was against the Rules.

Striking Article was pulled up with an injured tendon and subsequently put down after a race at Musselburgh on 7 February 2010.

A post mortem found the horse had undergone a palmar neurectomy.

This banned procedure severs the nervous connection in the lower leg and is banned in the sport on welfare grounds as it affects the horse’s ability to feel pain.

In a separate investigation he has also been charged with administering anabolic steroids to three of his horses.

“Unfortunately the panel were unable to hear all of the evidence in the time available. There were unforeseen issues arising in respect of a witness before proceedings began yesterday, and while both sides were confident that the hearing would still conclude in time, some of the other evidence presented and witness examinations took longer than anticipated,” said Paul Struthers, from the BHA.

Racehorse trainer Howard Johnson faces welfare charges

Amy Mathieson — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 17:22:54 +0000

Racehorse trainer Howard Johnson appeared before a British Horseracing Authority inquiry today (Wednesday 20 July) in London facing welfare charges.

Mr Johnson faces a fine and lengthy ban after one of his horses, Striking Article, was found to have been run eight times after having its leg “de-nerved”.

During a claiming chase at Musselburgh on 7 February 2010 Striking Article, owned by Graham and Andrea Wylie, was pulled up with an injured tendon and subsequently put down.

It transpires Striking Article had undergone the banned procedure in April 2008 and run eight times since.

Mr Johnson said he was unaware it was against the Rules. He faces fines of up to £3,000 and if he is found guilty of “wilful neglect” could be banned for up to 10 years.

In a separate investigation he has also been charged with administering anabolic steroids to three of his horses — Whisky Magic, Mintaka Pass and Montoya’s Son.

The hearing is expected to last two days.

Racehorse trainer Howard Johnson faces ban and fine

Horse & Hound — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 12:19:04 +0000

Racehorse trainer Howard Johnson faces a lengthy ban and fine after one of his horses was found to have been run after having its leg “de-nerved”.

The Co Durham-based trainer has been charged for running a horse that had undergone a palmer neurectomy and will appear at a British Horseracing Authority (BHA) hearing next month — provisionally scheduled for 10 February.

And in a separate investigation he has also been charged with administering anabolic steroids to three of his horses.

He faces fines of up to £3,000 and if he is found guilty of “wilful neglect” could be banned for up to 10 years.

During a claiming chase at Musselburgh on 7 February 2010 Striking Article, owned by Graham and Andrea Wylie, was pulled up with an injured tendon and subsequently put down.

A post mortem found the horse had undergone a neurectomy. This procedure severs the nervous connection in the lower leg and is banned in the sport on welfare grounds as it affects the horse’s ability to feel pain.

It is understood the horse underwent the operation in April 2008 and had run eight times since.

Mr Johnson has been charged under a rule regarding the “duties and skills” of a trainer. He could be banned for up to a year if he is found guilty of “neglect and poor husbandry”, but faces up to a 10-year ban if found guilty of “wilful neglect”.

He could also be banned for up to three years or receive a fine for adminstering an illegal substance (steroids) to Whisky Magic, Mintake Pass and Montoya’s Son — all also owned by the Wylies.

Howard Johnson offers £10,000 reward to catch thieves

Horse & Hound — Thu, 27 May 2010 18:00:32 +0000

National Hunt trainer Howard Johnson has offered a £10,000 reward for details leading to the conviction of two men who stole £100,000 from him at gunpoint.

The men threatened Johnson and his wife with a handgun and a seven-inch knife after forcing their way into White Lea Farm in Roddymoor, County Durham on 11 April this year.

They made Johnson open his safe, and took £100,000 in cash. Much of it was Scottish £50 and £100 notes. Johnson says he was saving the money to by his wife a dream cottage, and that years as a gambler had given him a hoarding instinct.

The robbers told Johnson that they would return to shoot him and his wife if they called the police within three hours of them leaving.

The couple waited 20 minutes before dialling 999. Police arrived promptly, but the bandits were long gone.

“I’ve said I will give £10,000 if they got anybody for this. I’d like this put to bed to stop it happening to anybody else and get some peace of mind,” Johnson told the Racing Post.

Anyone with information should call Durham Police on 0345 60 60 365 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Racehorse trainer Howard Johnson robbed of £100,000 at gunpoint

Amy Mathieson — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 14:27:47 +0000

Top northern racehorse trainer Howard Johnson has had £100,000 stolen after he was held at gunpoint in his Co Durham home last night (Sunday 11 April).

The armed robbery happened at 11.20pm at Mr Johnson’s home, White Lea House, Roddymoor, near Crook.

The trainer was ordered to lie face down on the floor at gunpoint while his wife Sue was threatened with a 7in knife.

Mr Johnson, who trains Royal Rosa which ran in Saturday’s Grand National, told the police that two men forced entry to the front door and dragged his wife out of bed.

Neither were hurt but both are in shock.

Mr Johnson, 56, was reading newspaper when two men in balaclavas broke into his home.

“I have never been as frightened in my life — and I have been kicked by bulls and horses and was nearly killed by a cow,” he told press.

“I jumped up and rushed to the door and there was two of them saying ‘We’re going to get you. Open the door.’

“They overpowered me and chucked me against the glass doors.

“They never got excited and they weren’t shaking, they were professionals.”

Co Durham constabulary is investigating the incident.

Detective inspector Simon Orton said: “Initial information resulted in armed response vehicles attending the premises, and officers conducted a search of the premises and surrounding area.

“Investigations into this incident are ongoing. A substantial amount of cash, totalling £100,000 was taken.

“We are appealing for witnesses who may have seen any suspicious activity in or around the area of the property before, or during the evening, or daytime to contact us.”

Anyone with information should call: 0345 6060 365

Racehorse Inglis Drever put down after colic surgery

Amy Mathieson — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 15:22:47 +0000

Three-times Cheltenham World Hurdle winner Inglis Drever has died, at the age of ten.

The Howard Johnson-trained racehorse was put down this morning (Friday 16 October) after suffering a serious bout of colic.

The horse underwent surgery yesterday after being found lying in a field at his owner’s home in Northumberland.

Inglis Drever, who retired in January after sustaining a hock injury in the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury in November 2008, won 17 races and nearly £800,000 during his career.

He retired to owner Graham Wylie’s stud in Northumberland.

“Without a doubt he’d be number one when it comes to horses I’ve trained,” Mr Johnson told press.

“He’s been a fantastic servant to me and the yard — you could always tell when he was right and he was a peach to train.

“It’s very upsetting and I’ve said to Mr Wylie that we’ll get the horse cremated and get him back into what I call the ‘Millionaire’s Field’ in front of our house.

“He used to love it in there, and spent his summers in there every year since he arrived, so I think we should bury his ashes in there.”