Everything about me!
Name: Marvin Johnson
Occupation: Horse trainer
Years Training: More than 40, started in 1974
Best Horses Trained: Multiple stakes winner Ogataul and Al's Dearly Bred, a career earner of $548,761. While being trained by Johnson, Al's Dearly Bred gave the trainer his most lucrative victory by capturing the $100,000 Claiming Crown Emerald at Canterbury Park in Shakopee, Minn.
Number Of Wins Recorded As A Trainer: More than 1,800.
Horse Earnings: More than $13 million
What are some little-known fact many fans may not know about you? I'm a third-generation trainer who is following the same career path as my grandfather, Andrew G. Johnson, and father, Andrew H. Johnson. My wife, Christy, is also a licensed trainer in Nebraska. Fans like to tell me I'm the second-best trainer in my own house.
Marvin Johnson and his wife, Christy, recently visited Churchill Downs, the home of the Kentucky Derby in Louisville, Ky.
Christmas time is always special for Marvin Johnson, as it allows his family to get together at the family farm in Grand Island, Neb.
Who did you once meet, and have your picture taken with, in the winner's circle at Hoosier Park in Anderson, Ind.?
Answer: I met Bo Derek. She's a big racing fan. Still have a picture of myself with her.
What else is there to know about Marvin Johnson? In 2000, I finished 53rd among all North American trainers in terms of wins. I've led all trainers in terms of wins at three Nebraska tracks, Fonner Park, Columbus and the now-closed State Fair Park--several times.
Myself and Tim Gleason once tied for the training title at Ak-Sar-Ben. For that accomplishment, I was given a belt buckle that i still wear today.
Family: Johnson and his wife, Christy, have been married more than 30 years. Chris Johnson is a licensed trainer in Nebraska and takes over the barn operations in her home state when Marvin leaves for Indiana.
The Johnsons are proud parents of four adult children--daughters Ashley, Casey and Taylor and son Ty.
And a little more...
When does your work day typically begin and end?
Answer: I like to be out the door by 4:30 AM each day. Mornings
are especially busy for me, as we have numerous horses to take to the track and a variety of other issues to deal with. If I'm at a track that has night racing, my day may not end until 10 PM or later.
What he does in his free time: Tending to as many as 50 horses or more on a daily basis doesn't leave Johnson with much free time. When he does have leisure time, Johnson enjoys watching University of Nebraska football and is a big fan of now-retired NFL quarterback Peyton Manning. The Johnsons previously spent five years bleeding purple, as their youngest daughter, Taylor,, is a Kansas State graduate who earned a volleyball scholarship from the Wildcats. Ty Johnson, Taylor's little brother, plays football at Iowa Western Community College.
Favorite TV show: American Pickers. Like Mike and Frank on the TV show, Johnson likes to scour the country side, looking for rusty gold that could be turned into a profit. Johnson also watches anything horse-racing related and is a big fan of LeBron James, one of the greatest NBA players of all time.
Favorite music: Country
How many hours per day do you spend on your cell phone: Too many. It's part of the business, always answering calls from owners and anyone else that needs to get in touch with me.
Besides horses, what other types of pets do you have: A rooster and two hens, four dogs and a cat. A wild turkey that is quickly becoming civilized has taken up residence at Johnson's Indiana Grand barn.
If a person wants to contact you, what is the best way of going about it? I can be reached via email at: marvingjohnsonracing@gmail.com It might take me a little while to respond but I will get back to you.
