From Les Landes to Louisville

Friday 22 July 2016

“Have binoculars, will travel” is Mark Johnson’s mantra - and it all started on Jersey Derby Day, which takes place once again this Sunday.

The ever-popular Les Landes race course commentator is a fixture in the 'sport of kings' - but it all began one summer’s day 30 years ago.

Back then Mr Johnson had dreams of becoming a horse racing commentator and when he arrived in Jersey to write an article on the Derby, he was suddenly thrust into the spotlight.

“I had just finished my second year at university and I had hankered after doing an article on the Jersey Derby so I went to Les Landes to go and see the then secretary Josephine Read. I was writing for a now defunct racing magazine and I did a piece on her and commentator Ian Ozanne. who is now the chairman of the stewards panel. I loved it. I asked if I could commentate on a race and lo and behold, they said yes and I was away.”

That was his first commentating job, but it wouldn’t be his last - far from it. In fact, it was the start of a career behind the microphone which has taken him from Epsom to Aintree, Doncaster to Newmarket and even Churchill Downs, for the most prestigious race in America, the Kentucky Derby. 

“Incredible to think it began in Jersey and that’s one of the reasons why I love coming back and giving something to the course where it all started for me,” he said. “That and the fact that I have a great many friends in Jersey and I would hate not to have it on my calendar. The races at Les Landes are some of the highlights of my year, every year.”

Mr Johnson, 50, pictured below, who lives near Twickenham rugby ground - “nearest course Kempton Park” - says Jersey is in his blood. “We have the most unusual ‘Triple Crown’ in racing, the Champion Hurdle, Derby and Clarendon and of these I think Derby day is the biggest. It’s always a terrific race and I wouldn’t wish to be anywhere else in the world.”

From that small hoof print in 1986, grew a career in horse racing which has seen Mr Johnson travel around the world - thus the “have binoculars, will travel” mentality. 

“Oh, I’d go anywhere to cover a race,” he said. “I must say I do love going to America to commentate. In 2008 I put in my application to cover Churchill Downs, the home of the Kentucky Derby. I got down to the last five and it was a sort of ‘Commentator Idol’ - as we all had to commentate for a week to see who won the chance to commentate at the Derby. I was a 100-1 shot in a five horse race. Don’t ask me how, but I won it. I’ve done five Kentucky Derbies and it is still a massive thrill just thinking about it.”

On top of that Mr Johnson has called the runners and riders at numerous Epson Derbies, Grand Nationals and St Legers. 

“I grew up in Lincolnshire so Doncaster, where the St Leger is held, is very close to my heart, as is Market Rasen.”

Although Mr Johnson is now steeped in racing for the best part of three decades, his background is not particularly equine. 

“My mum was a secretary and dad self-employed,” he said. “They were fond racegoers and loved going, but it was never a job for them like it has become for me. 

“I fell into it a little. I was very keen and open-minded and one day, in Jersey, the chance came along. I’m very, very lucky.”

Sunday’s race holds a special place in his heart, but does Mr Johnson enjoy a flutter while behind the mike. 

He said: “No, never, not while I’m working. There are no restrictions on gambling for commentators like me, but I just don’t do it on a race day and never have. My thinking is I need to concentrate my efforts on getting things right, not worrying about whether the horse I’ve backed is winning or not.

“When I go racing just as a punter I like a little bet here and there, but nothing substantial.”

So what advice would he give to a youngster wishing to take up the microphone? “Simple really, the best piece of advice I could give is this: do your homework, then, when you have finished, do a bit more. I think preparation is very much the key. Without preparing properly you can get caught out and that’s why I always prepare thoroughly. The best commentators make it look easy - it isn’t. They just make it look easy.”

There are too many outstanding commentators for Mr Johnson to pinpoint one as his ultimate hero, but he retains a fond memory for the late, great Sir Peter O’Sullevan - the voice of racing for five decades on the BBC and a firm favourite of the royal family. 

“I knew Peter and he was a terrific enthusiast,” he said. “His job was commentating for TV, whereas mine is on course and the two are different disciplines of the same job. It’s impossible to say who my favourite was, or is, when it comes to commentating. There are simply so many very good ones.

“It is a very rewarding job, as I’ve travelled the world doing something I love, but here is my take on racecourse commentating. Whereas with an American Football match you have four hours to fill, baseball three hours, soccer an hour and a half and cricket, all day. In racing, you have got a couple of minutes to cram it all in and above all, get it right. That’s quite demanding.   

“They say the Kentucky Derby is 20 horses and the best two minutes in sport, and I’d have to agree with that sentiment.”

Any mistakes over the years? “Of course, you always get the odd slip up, by the nature of live sport. But have I ever called a winner and got it wrong? No. Not yet! There is still time though,” he laughed.

“Again, I say the key is do your homework, know your subject, know your horses, your trainers, your owners. Get to know them. The fun is in the finding out.”

A commentator wouldn’t be a commentator without a favourite race and for Mr Johnson it is a pretty straightforward choice. 

“I was very fortunate to be commentating on the 2009 Kentucky Derby when Mine That Bird, a 50-1 shot, came through to win in the mud of a dirt track. The horse came from last to first and won by over six lengths and I was delighted, because even through all the mud I caught his charge down the last stretch to win. It was incredible and memorable."