David Johnson passes away David Pipe paid tribute to a "great friend" and "real enthusiast" following the death of Grand National-winning owner David Johnson today after a long battle with cancer. Johnson, 67, had a host of big winners over jumps in his famous blue and green silks, but none bigger than the Pipe-trained Comply Or Die, who landed Aintree glory in 2008. Johnson's colours were also carried to top-level success by crack two-miler Well Chief, winner of the Arkle Trophy, Maghull Novices' Chase and Victor Chandler Chase as well as engaging in battles with Azertyuiop and Moscow Flyer. Another star name for Johnson was the mare Lady Cricket, who numbered the Thomas Pink Gold Cup at Cheltenham in 2000 among other top-level successes. Champion owner six times over jumps and enjoying a famous relationship with Pipe's father, Martin, Johnson's Celestial Gold was a revelation in November 2004 when winning the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham and a few weeks later triumphing in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury. Among the most talented of the horses to run for Johnson was Our Vic, winner of the Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in 2008. Top-class, too, was Cyfor Malta, winner of the Murphy's Gold Cup, Thomas Pink Gold Cup, Cathcart Challenge Cup, Pillar Property Chase and the John Hughes Chase over the Grand National fences. Classified, It Takes Time, Liberman, Champleve, Take Control and Or Royal were other familiar Johnson-owned performers. Another Cathcart winner for East End-born Johnson, a West Ham United fan, was the quirky but talented Challenger Du Luc, who also won the Murphy's Gold Cup. Pipe said: "It is very sad news to lose a man like DJ. He was more than an owner - he was a great friend to dad and myself. "We had a lot of success together, he was champion owner numerous times, but more than that it was great fun - he made it great fun. "He was a wonderful family man and our deepest sympathy goes out to all his family, to his wife Shirley, daughter Lisa, her partner Neil, and his son Stephen and his partner Claire. "It is a sad loss to his family and to racing. He was a real enthusiast, that day at Aintree was one we will never forget, it was wonderful to win the National for him." Tony McCoy tweeted: "So sad David Johnson has died after very brave battle with cancer he was a champion owner a champion man and a great friend. "Martin pipe David Johnson and I had so many winners & great days together we won 3 arkle chases at the Cheltenham festival 2 name but a few." Also on twitter, Timmy Murphy said: "Today Ive lost one of the most important people in me life my friend,my boss David Johnson Rest in peace x."
