Mark Johnston proved that 13 is only unlucky for some by taking the Leading Trainer Award at the Qatar Goodwood Festival for the 13th time in 2019. His first title was in 1998 and he has won the title for the last four years.
Johnston took the award with six winners, five seconds and three thirds, two winners clear of his rivals John Gosden and Charlie Hills, who both finished the meeting on four winners.
Trainer Mark Johnston – top perfomance
Johnston reflected: “I don’t really know why it has become what it has it has just snowballed over the years. We have always done well at Goodwood in general, but any meeting like this with good prize money, good races, we have come to do well and over the years we have done more and more.
“It is hard to say what my favourite winner was this week, but I suppose King’s Advice was so exciting today and the one freshest in my memory.
“His win was great, and incredible for a horse to win that many races and handicaps and climb so far. How could you not be excited by him? It is quite amazing, I can’t believe it myself, when you look at the whole story behind the horse.
“He came to us on route to the sales, so to win eight races in a season is incredible for any horse. He has been no trouble, I don’t know why he was considered to be so much trouble before, but he has been a revelation for us.
“This week is hard work, it is good when the last race is over, there is a bit of a sigh of relief, it is a bit relentless, but of course it is good fun – this is what it is all about!”
