Gwenda Johnstone

Extracts from the Inside Racing July 2008 “From the Shadows Comes Gwenda’s Spring Sunshine” editorial by REBECCA ELLIOTT. Photo Inside Racing.

At the age of 12, Gwenda Johnstone wasn’t particularly interested in horses. That was more her twin sister Susan’s forte … until the day the girth on Susan’s horse broke and she fell, never to get on a horse again. And funnily enough it was on that same day Johnstone’s interest in horses began to evolve.

Call it sibling rivalry or a twin’s instinct to take over the reins, whatever clicked inside Johnstone that day set her destiny to become the successful trainer she is today with over 160 wins including one Group 1 under her belt.

Gwenda’s training career started at age 14 when she began working on weekends and holidays for Echuca trainer, Joe Harrington.

At age 16, Johnstone left school and began working with Harrington full time and gained her owner/trainer licence in 1989.

It was through working with Harrington that Johnstone met her husband, Michael, who came to the stable on loan as an apprentice jockey. Johnstone and Michael were married in 1988.

Michael completed his apprenticeship with Harrington and became a senior jockey, still riding for Johnstone to this day. The Johnstones have a 30 acre agistment property in Echuca with four full time staff.

In September 1989, Harrington passed away. However, all was notlost for Johnstone. Bill Stutt, then Chairman at Moonee Valley Racing Club, saw her potential and took her on board to train his horses and helped her obtain her full training license.

Johnstone believes she had beginner’s luck. No horse was more special at the time than Be My Pride who was not only Johnstone’s first winner for Stutt in a maiden at Echuca but also went on to breed a stable full of winners for this up and coming young trainer.

Johnstone had her first city winner with two-year-old Maest in 1991. Leased by both Gwenda and Michael’s family off Mr Stutt’s farm in Berrigan.

In total, Maest won 11 races, predominantly open handicaps across Victoria, for the Johnstone family.

After her success with Be My Pride, local owner, Rob McKenzie contacted her to train his horses and sent Be My Pride to stud. Be My Pride has been a sensational broodmare, producing seven foals to race for six winners – all prepared by Johnstone. But Shadoways has been Gwenda’s greatest training success. In total, Shadoways has won six races for Johnstone but none more special than her first Group 1 win in The Distinctive Homes Goodwood Handicap (1200m) at Morphettville in Adelaide in April this 2008.

Johnstone has enjoyed plenty of success over the years during Spring, especially in “the greys race” on Crown Oaks Day. In 2003, Shadowmaker won the Greys Class Six Handicap at Flemington and she repeated the feat in 2004 and 2006 with Shadowpark and Theresnothinglycra, respectively.

“There’s nothing like winning in the spring. You’ve got all your owners with you and it’s just awesome. But it’s constant hard work and you’ve got to have a horse that’s got the ability to go down.” – Gwenda Johnstone

Gwenda has proved she has plenty of talent to take down to the city.

See Gwenda’s success and highlights page for more information on Gwenda’s Major Achievements in Racing