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Royal Ascot Preview with Mark Johnston By at least one measure, Mark Johnston is the G.O.A.T. As a graduate in veterinary science, he would certainly be one of the few licensed racehorse trainers who might also know what to do with that particular animal, as well as, of course, the horses he has trained so astutely for five decades now to be brushing up against the 5,000-winner, career mark, more than any other license holder in British racing history. Mark joined members online for the Rag’s inaugural Royal Ascot Preview night. He will be more than welcome in person next year after his tip of the week, the stable’s Gold Cup hope, Subjectivist, coasted home at a working man’s price of 13/2 taking his handler even closer to the 50 winner mark for the Royal Meeting. As is now traditional for equine occasions at the Rag, a quiz prefaced our conversation between the night’s guest of honour and proceeding’s host, Colin Cameron. Perhaps even more challenging than picking the forecast in the Wokingham Stakes were the questions: “The horse on which Audrey Hepburn has a bet in My Fair Lady, the length of grass on the track at Ascot [NB: in inches, two answers] and the distance in metres of the Queen Alexandra Stakes, at two miles, five furlongs and 143 yards, Britain’s longest flat race… Congratulations to the winner, Ms. Eleanor Wills, who certainly earned her bottle of Coates & Seely English fizz. Ms. Wills ultimately recorded a double for the meeting as she subsequently topped the following week’s tipping competition, earning herself a Sir Plus £200 voucher spendable online or at the clothier’s Princes Arcade shop. With just a fraction of Ms. Wills’ judgement, all who joined the evening to learn of the goings on at one of our very best racing stables and hear Mark Johnston’s assessment of the week’s sport, will surely have finished in profit, not least on the back of a free £50 bet from Fitzdares. All certainly began the week in credit, both financially and in terms of a richness of understanding and information, thanks to Mark Johnston giving up his time for the club. To him – and Subjectivist – heartfelt thanks. Likewise, to all members who supported the proceedings.
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