Richard Johnson Biography: Awards, Height, Net Worth, Gold Cup, Age, Wife, Parents
Richard Johnson OBE, also known as Richard Evan Johnson, is an acclaimed English former professional jump racing jockey widely recognized as one of the most successful National Hunt riders in British horse racing history.
Building a legendary multi-decade athletic career highlighted by four consecutive British Jump Racing Champion Jockey titles and over 3,800 career wins.
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| Real Name: | Richard Evan Johnson |
| Stage Name: | Richard Johnson |
| Born: | July 21, 1977 (age 49 years old) |
| Place of Birth: | Hereford, Herefordshire, England |
| Nationality: | English |
| Ethnicity: | British / English |
| Height: | 171 cm (5 ft 7 in) |
| Religion: | Christianity |
| Parents: | Keith Johnson, Sue Johnson |
| Spouse: | Fiona Chance (m. 2007) |
| Relationship: | Married |
| Children: | Willow Johnson, Caspar Johnson, Percy Johnson |
| Occupation: | Retired Professional Jump Racing Jockey, Syndicate Manager |
| Net Worth: | $5 million |
Early Life and Education
Richard Johnson was born on July 21, 1977, in Hereford, Herefordshire, England.
He is the son of Keith Johnson, an amateur jockey and farmer, and Sue Johnson, a permit-holding racehorse trainer.
Growing up in Madley, Herefordshire on an arable and cattle farm, his ethnicity is English.
Raised surrounded by horses and a family deeply rooted in equestrian sport, he spent his childhood summers working at the yard of legendary trainer David Nicholson.
For his academic formation, he completed his foundational schooling locally in Herefordshire before leaving school at age sixteen to dedicate his youth and early adulthood entirely to professional jockey development as an apprentice in David Nicholson‘s stable.
His religious background is rooted in Christianity.
Career
Richard Johnson began his professional jump racing journey by securing his maiden victory under rules aboard Rusty Bridge at Hereford in April 1994, going on to capture the Champion Conditional Jockey title in the 1995–96 season.
He initially worked on establishing his presence as a top-tier rider, becoming only the second National Hunt jockey in history to reach 2,000 career wins.
His career expanded with major international milestones after achieving prestigious victories at the Cheltenham Festival—winning the Stayers’ Hurdle (1999), Cheltenham Gold Cup (2000 on Looks Like Trouble), Queen Mother Champion Chase (2002 on Flagship Uberalles), and Champion Hurdle (2003 on Rooster Booster)—making him one of the few jockeys to win all four major championship races at the festival.
After finishing as championship runner-up 17 times to Sir AP McCoy, he achieved historic personal milestones by winning four consecutive British Jump Racing Champion Jockey titles from 2016 through 2019.
He officially announced his retirement from race riding in April 2021 at Newton Abbot, concluding his career with 3,818 British and Irish National Hunt victories.
In recent years, Richard Johnson has focused on youth jockey mentorship, equestrian syndicate management, and sports media analysis.
His latest confirmed project involves managing racehorse ownership syndicates and providing expert commentary for British racing broadcasts.
Awards and Nominations
- Four-Time British Jump Racing Champion Jockey (2016, 2017, 2018, 2019)
- Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) Appointee
- Two-Time Cheltenham Gold Cup Winner (2000, 2018)
- Champion Conditional Jockey (1995–96)
- Over 3,800 Career National Hunt Victories
Personal Life
Richard Johnson, 49 years old, has been happily married to his wife, Fiona Chance (daughter of dual Cheltenham Gold Cup-winning trainer Noel Chance), since 2007.
Regarding past relationships, he previously lived with Zara Phillips from 1998 until 2003.
He and his wife are the proud parents of three children: Willow Johnson, Caspar Johnson, and Percy Johnson.
He is currently based in Herefordshire, England, where he manages his equestrian investments, syndicate operations, and family life.
His personal hobbies include farming, golf, physical fitness conditioning, and spending quality time with family.
He communicates fluently in English. He stands at a height of 171 cm.
Net Worth
Richard Johnson has a net worth estimated at around $5 million USD.
His primary revenue streams stem from riding fees, winning prize purses, corporate sponsorship partnerships, and media broadcasting contracts accumulated over his 27-year professional riding career.
Additionally, horse syndicate management investments, agricultural land holdings, and real estate assets contribute significantly to his overall financial portfolio, ensuring steady wealth generation from diverse professional ventures.
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