A card of flat all weather racing takes place on Lingfield Park’s Polytrack on the afternoon of Wednesday 18 October 2017, when eight races are scheduled to kick off at 1.50pm. Below are our selections for the full day’s racing at Lingfield.
Trainer archives:
Mark Johnston is a Middleham based combined licence holding racehorse trainer.
A Scotsman by birth, Johnston attended Glasgow University and qualified as a vet.
Based in Middleham, North Yorkshire
After first taking out a licence in Louth, Lins, in 1987, Johnston purchased Kingsley House stables in Middleham the year after and has remained in the North Yorkshire town ever since, though he has expanded the yard several times, buying additional stabling.
Best Known Stable Stars
Perhaps the best horse he trained was the wonderful filly Attraction with whom he lifted the 1,000 Guineas in 2004, though he also lifted the 2,000 Guineas with Mister Baileys.
Another old favourite Johnston trained was Double Baileys who was a doughty stayer – in true Johnston fashion.
Stable Jockeys
Johnston’s horses often run prominently, from the front, though he regularly claims that he let’s his jockey decide how to pace in the race. Fiercly loyal to his riders, current jockeys are Joe Fanning and Franny Norton, though many good jocks have been at the yard over the years.
Two Year old Masters
Another feature of his yard is the ability to produce two year olds, perhaps best demonstrated with Sharmardal, the 2004 European Champion Two-Year-Old and again more recently with the rock hard The Last Lion who retired at two after sweeping all before him.