Four time champion jockey Richard Johnson missed out on a fifth successive title this season due to injury and the season being cut short which saw Brian Hughes land his first ever championship.
The 42 year old, although disappointed he could not retain the title has no thoughts on retirement and is seeking to get back his championship next season, hoping for a less dramatic and much healthier term.
Johnson will be ready at the start of next season barring any hiccups determined to put behind him a season that was first derailed when suffering a broken arm in a fall at Exeter in January.
With his injury and jumps racing being cut short this season it seemed like the world was against the rider but overall he finished 19 wins behind Hughes and will have to settle for a valiant second place.
(Credit At The Races) Johnson said: “Things haven’t quite gone smoothly this year, but I’ve been very fortunate actually for a long time that I haven’t had many bad runs. The second half of the season didn’t go quite as we’d hoped, but for everyone now it’s been a very poor year.
Thyme Hill is now three from three over hurdles after landing the Challow Hurdle @NewburyRacing 💪 Which race would you run the exciting youngster in at the Cheltenham Festival? Watch what @PJHobbs1 had to say to @nickluck afterwards >>>https://t.co/NE0k6DeSmx pic.twitter.com/QcRogH9EdS
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) December 28, 2019
“It’s one of those things, we’re looking forward to getting going at some point and fingers crossed I’ll be doing everything to try to regain the championship and go from there, but it’s just one of those things, we’ve got to get through the next few months hopefully and get going again.
“I’ve got lots to look forward to with all my different yards next season, with lots of horses coming through and also the nice ones we’ve already got – the likes of Thyme Hill and Brewin’upastorm.
“I’m in a very fortunate position and hopefully we can look forward to next season and 2021 in a bit more positive light.
“I’m just looking forward to getting past all this and looking forward to the new season, but the most important thing at the moment is obviously the health of the nation and the world. We all understand that, it’s a hard time for everyone in the world.
“We’re all in the same boat and we’ve just got to try to look forward and get through it as best we can.”
The rider has nothing but praise and admiration for Hughes and just wishes that he could have experienced the crowning ceremony at Sandown on Celebration Chase Day, He said: “Brian is a deserved champion this year – he deserves all the accolades. I just think for him personally the day at Sandown is very special.
“I’ve been lucky to have enjoyed that the last four years and for him and his family, it’s sad that he doesn’t get to do that.
“I’m sure there will be a presentation at some point in the future, but that day at Sandown is a special day. It’s a shame he won’t be able to do that, but at the same time it won’t take from being champion jockey either.”