If you’ve watched any English broadcast of any major race in Japan since 2002, then chances are it is Murray Johnson’s voice you were hearing.
Tokyo-based Johnson (left) is the lead English-language racecaller for the Japan Racing Association. Originally from Perth in Western Australia, he has lived in Japan since 1991 and will be calling his 20th Japan Cup for the JRA on Sunday (November 28), when 2020 Triple Crown hero Contrail, a former TRC world #1 and runner-up in the race to the great Almond Eye last year, is set to face off with this year’s Japanese Derby winner Shahryar as well as the Aidan O’Brien hopefuls Broome and Japan.
Also a sumo wrestling expert, alongside his horseracing duties, Johnson is a leading commentator on that intrinsically Japanese sport too.
Who do you believe is the most important figure in the history of racing around the world and why?
In Japan, the answer is an empire, not one individual. The Yoshida family in Japan have transformed racing, with the starting point being the purchase of Northern Taste followed by Sunday Silence by patriarch Zenya Yoshida.
The family has continued to buy quality mares and stallions from the U.S. and Europe and consistently updates the roster with the purpose of producing quality racing stock and future breeding propositions. While the three brothers operate their own individual farms. the sum total has made racing in Japan what it is today and influencing world racing breeds as well.
Which is your favourite venue and race anywhere in the world?
Happy Valley in Hong Kong is the whole package as a racing experience. Excellent track viewing from anywhere inside the colosseum, like structure, dining or casual facilities, together with tight, competitive racing offering the best in entertainment.
My favourite race is the Japanese Derby [Tokyo Yushun] as it showcases the best 3-year-olds with many becoming the future breeding stars. See this year’s race below (Shahryar beats Efforia by a nose) - commentary by Johnson.
What is your fondest memory in racing?
I have been lucky to call for 20 years, but my first Japan Cup call in 2002 at Nakayama was exciting and stressful with the result taking more than 30 minutes following a photo finish and protest. Falbrav and Sarafan hit the line almost together. Falbrav eventually got the decision. His jockey, Frankie Dettori, also won the Japan Cup Dirt the day before on Eagle Cafe, so we will never see that double again (the Japan Cup Dirt has been run as the Champions Cup since 2014).
What do you see as the biggest challenge racing faces today?
Finding the balance between betting and entertainment. Japan focuses on promoting the horses and the excitement, while other countries offer the social appeal, which seems to irk the punters. There is not one solution for all countries.
If you could change one thing in racing, what would it be?
Owners need to be held more accountable for a horse after racing days are over. This is hard to police but a levy needs to be paid into a fund to help the horse after racing is done. A logistical, almost impractical idea, but in an imperfect world I can dream.