Classic-Winning Trainer Houghton Dies at 84

Classic-winning former trainer Fulke Johnson Houghton has died at the age of 84. Johnson Houghton took over from his mother Helen, who as a woman was not the official license holder, at Woodway Stables in Blewbury aged 20 in 1961. He trained more than 1,200 winners during a sparkling 46-year career and was responsible for several stars of the track in the 1970s, including the 1978 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes (G1) winner Ile de Bourbon. He also trained 1969 champion miler Habitat, winner of the Prix du Moulin. Houghton trained Ribocco and Ribero, who both ran in the Nijinsky silks of American businessman Charles Engelhard, to win consecutive runnings of the St Leger in 1967 and 1968. Both horses also won the Irish Derby in the same years. While Engelhard was one of Johnson Houghton's biggest supporters early on in his career, he was later trusted with Aga Khan performers such as Khairpour, Borushka, Kirmann, and 1984 St Leger runner-up Baynoun in the mid-1980s. Other stars at Woodway included the dual Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (G1) winner Rose Bowl and 1962 English champion miler Romulus. Johnson Houghton retired in 2006 when his daughter Eve took over the historic yard and in 2018 she added to the stable's group 1 haul when Accidental Agent (GB) won the Queen Anne Stakes (G1) at Royal Ascot. Johnson Houghton's son Gordon briefly trained horses before becoming an equine therapist. "He gave life a good old rattle," Johnson Houghton said. "He was a wonderful trainer and a wonderful judge of a horse. He was a wonderful man and a testament to the fact that people who worked here never really left, and if they did they always came back and saw him. He was very loved by a lot of people. "I had a wonderful childhood and I was so lucky he was my dad. Not only did he train Ribocco and Ribero, he sourced them, and he trained for some really wonderful people. We had lovely owners and some fantastic horses. The house was always full of people and we always had a lot of fun at breakfast. "I think the main thing I learned from his training approach was to be patient and get the best out of every horse and place them, whether they're a 0-50 or a classic winner. I don't think anyone has a bad word to say about him and I've had some lovely messages from people."