Mark Johnson

Horse Racing Commentator in Britain, America, Qatar & Bahrain. Only person to call both the KY Derby & Epsom Derby. ITV Race Commentator. Eurovision obsessive!

[Mark Johnson @CommentatorMark]

@USASteeplechase Looks a fantastic weekend Steve - nine jump races on Monday - wow!

[Mark Johnson @CommentatorMark]

A few stats re the ‘26 Eurovision Song Contest. 1st time since 2017 (Portugal won) that winner topped both Jury & Televote. Biggest ever winning margin of 173pts (“Fairytail” Norway won by 169pts in 2009). 16 different countries received at least one max 12pts from a Jury vote.

[Mark Johnson @CommentatorMark]

ESC Green Room protocol appears to have collapsed this year!

[Mark Johnson @CommentatorMark]

OK fellow ESC fans, say it with me…….
Let the Eurovision Song Contest BEGIN

[Mark Johnson @CommentatorMark]

@NeilWatson11279 @MikeParcej @leemottershead We shall raise a glass to Sir Terry at the same time. Enjoy mate.

[Mark Johnson @CommentatorMark]

The mad dash back home from Newmarket completed in the knick of time! The ESC portfolio: Finland to win at 11/8, Australia to win at 9/1, Denmark to finish Top 5, Italy to finish Top 10, UK to finish either 24th or 25th (bottom 2). Good luck if you’ve played & enjoy the ride.

[Mark Johnson @CommentatorMark]

Some ESC Running Order stats - since 1998 (start of tele-voting era) -
Song in 1st half of RO won 10x 37%
Song in 2nd half of RO won 17x 63%
Only 4x single digit RO slot has won but…
Both 2023 & last year winner went 9th.
Overall stats say around 16th is best draw.

[Mark Johnson @CommentatorMark]

No doubt who gave the best performance in the two Semi Finals of the ESC - tonight Delta Goodrem knocked it out of the ball park for Australia. Repeat that on Saturday night & she has a great chance of first Aussie win.

[Mark Johnson @CommentatorMark]

I know I am biased but if you are planning on watching/playing the KY Derby this evening go along to the @RacingTV website & read Rachel Candelora’s excellent in-depth preview…she gave the straight Trifecta last year!

[Mark Johnson @CommentatorMark]

Doesn’t happen very often in British racing but in today’s second race at Goodwood all four runners are drawn in the stall which corresponds to there actual number: 1 in 1, 2 in 2, 3 in 3 & 4 in 4.

[ITV Racing @itvracing]

🗣️"This is our Ryder Cup because we're playing a team game."

How three commentators work together to call the world's biggest horse race 🏇

@CommentatorMark | @RichardHoiles | @SamanthaQuek

[Mark Johnson @CommentatorMark]

The Carholme at Lincoln - I have watched Point-to-Points there

[Sports & Betting History by BestBettingSites @BettingSitesCom]

Some old racecourses refuse to die …

[Mark Johnson @CommentatorMark]

Thanks for your thoughts on the ESC Ally. Currently going through the live performances at last weekend’s Nordic Pre Party which appears to have produced a fair range of abilities!

[Ally 🏇🏻 @FluffyPickle]

Morning @CommentatorMark I have completed my Eurovision revision and had 50pence ew on these three. Strong year! Delta will also defo do well. Not long now to Dante & Eurovision week ☺️ Have a fab day x

[Mark Johnson @CommentatorMark]

@MikeParcej @CheltenhamRaces Thanks Mike, hope you had a great week.

[Mark Johnson @CommentatorMark]

@OdonnellKeiran @SimonHolt3 Barty has had to have a small procedure on a recent injury so wasn’t able to do Cheltenham………he’ll be back!

[Mark Johnson @CommentatorMark]

The UK entry for this year’s Eurovision Song Contest has just been debuted - OMG this is insultingly bad. The UK has sunk to new depths. Come back Sam Ryder.

[Mark Johnson @CommentatorMark]

@OdonnellKeiran @SimonHolt3 Hi Keiran, hope you are enjoying The Festival - Stewart Machin & me on course tomorrow…..I am calling the Gold Cup

[Mark Johnson @CommentatorMark]

This is brilliant!