Malcolm Johnston was from Theo Green Jockey School which produced many champions like Gordon Spinks and Darren Beadman, to name a few. Born in 1956, Johnston grew up in Orange, Western NSW, before joining Theo Green in Rosehill and then Randwick. His first major race win was in the 1976 VRC Lightning Handicap at Desirable, coached by Colin Hayes. He was also a stable rider for trainer Tommy Smith, which was the beginning of his association with Kingston Town.

‘Miracle’ Johnston, as he was known, soon became a superstar in the racing world with a record-breaking association with Kingston Town. The duo won 25 races out of 30 that included five Group One titles when Kingstown Town was three years old, which included the 1980 Cox Plate. The duo came close to winning the 1982 Melbourne Cup, but lost to Gurners Lane when Johnston admitted to starting the race with an early finish, leaving Kingston Town drained towards the finish line.

He won 3 prime ministerial titles as an apprentice and ended his career with 3 Sydney prime minister titles and 3 runner-up titles. In his first season as a trainee during 1973-74, he finished second in the premiership. The following season he won the Sydney Jockeys Premiership title as a trainee, breaking Jack Thompson’s record with 107.5 wins. His skills took him around the world to England, France, Hong Kong, the Middle East and New Zealand. At the time of his retirement, Johnston had 39 Group One wins and more than 2,000 winners to his credit. His main victories include the Caulfield Cup, two Epsom Handicaps, two Oaks, five Derbies including the AJC and VTC Derbies, the WS Cox Plate, a Double Doncaster Handicap, two Lightning Stakes, the 1980 Sydney Cup, the STC Tanvred Stakes, the STC Rosehill Guineas and an Adelaide Cup.

Johnston was virtually unbeatable, especially during his association with Kingston Town from 1979 to 1982. He was also suspended 56 times, which cost him a few titles, including the 1981 MVRC Cox Plate. On one occasion, the stewards suspended Johnston for a Careless driving charge at the 1978 Wyong Cup, and he was ordered to pay $ 121,490 in damages to cyclist Glenn Frazer. Frazer sued Johnston for a left thigh fracture, a serious back injury and other injuries. Johnston denied any act of negligence, but the Supreme Court of New South Wales ruled in favor of Frazer. The court stated that a competitor could be held liable for an injury caused by an error in judgment.

Whatever happens, Malcolm Johnston was a naturally gifted jockey who later made the decision to start training in 1997. He established his headquarters in Hawkesbury, training more than 200 winners that included Stakes winners like Stella Maree and Shags. With his wealth of driving experience, he joined the Racing NSW team as ‘Training Officer – Hunter & North West Region’, in charge of 200 trainees. The legendary pilot is also a corporate speaker, known for adding a few laughs to everything he says. Johnston naturally claims to have been the courtroom jester in the jockey’s room.

But there is one thing Johnston takes seriously. Malcolm Johnston honestly believes that Kingston Town should be the sole criteria for the term “Champion.”