Trainer Charlie Johnston is based in Middleham, North Yorkshire. He took over from his father, Mark Johnston, in 2023, who had an incredible legacy of 5,000 winners in Great Britain and is often regarded as one of the most successful trainers in British racing history.
Charlie has now taken up the reins of his father, recently commenting how he “doesn’t think many have reached the heights that Dad did”. He has so far managed to live up to the name, as he now has over 100 winning horses in consecutive seasons.
Johnston has a very busy schedule in 2026, with multiple entries across March and May in several different races. In this article, we can explore Johnston’s previous records and an analysis of the upcoming races in which he’ll be fielding runners.
Johnston’s Previous Records
Johnston grew up surrounded by horse racing, and after studying at the University of Glasgow, he joined the family business full-time in 2016. He began as an assistant trainer in 2022 before taking over the sole training license for the family yard in 2023. He trains exclusively at Kingsley Park in Middleham, which is known for its impressive 270-acre facilities.
Looking at his record over five seasons (Jan 2022 – Dec 2026), Johnston has over 430 wins in over 3400 runs, averaging a win rate of around 13%. He has earned over £7 million in earnings, and his best-performing horse is Dear, My Friend.
In 2026, the venues he is training horses for include races include Cheltenham, Ascot, and Doncaster in marquee racing events that will draw wide audiences from across the UK.
National Appeal of Racing
Horse racing is hugely popular across the UK, as the second most-watched spectator sport outside of football. It is deeply rooted in UK historical tradition, with days out at Cheltenham this week and the Grand National at Aintree Racecourse widely anticipated sporting events. Ripon plays its part in that panoply of racing venues as one of nine racecourses in Yorkshire. Over 5m spectators attended in excess of 1,300 fixtures in 2025.
Its popularity is due to many factors, including the races being a popular social event for friends and family, and offering immediate high-stakes thrills for fans. It is also deeply rooted in a cultural betting tradition, with around £9 billion being wagered on horse racing annually in the UK. Many enjoy wagering on sporting events such as horse racing, while others explore digital online slots UK sites, which means there’s a range of options available to bettors.
Altogether, it is a combination of the historic UK tradition of horse racing, widespread betting culture, and the social aspect of these racing events that makes it so popular amongst the public.
Looking Ahead To The Start Of The Turf Flat Season
Charlie Johnston is busy this month with entries across the remnants of the winter all-weather season and as the flat turf season girds into life at nearby Doncaster. Looking ahead to the summer, he also has to prepare for several important races in May, including the Guineas Meeting at Newmarket and potential forays to the Curragh for valuable Pattern races. Thunder Wonder, Sir Paul Ramsay and Arisaig are all entered in the season’s first major handicap, the Lincoln, whilst Venetian Lace, Princess Mathia and Timeforshowcasing all hold engagements in the 1,000 Guineas the following month.
