Johnstone to debut in Oaks mission

23 April 2026

Local apprentice jockey Taylor Johnstone will ride in her first Group 1 race at Morphettville on Saturday.

Johnstone will be aboard Freedom Flame in the $1 million Sportsbet Australasian Oaks (2000m) for trainer Andrew Gluyas.

With a majority of the countries leading jockeys travelling to Morphettville – including reigning Longines World’s Best Jockey James McDonald – connections of the three-year-old filly has faith in Johnstone.

 

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With visors going on for Saturday’s Oaks mission and even though Johnstone will be a rookie at Group 1 level, she is no stranger to Freedom Flame.

The 22-year-old has ridden the filly in nine of her 11 starts, including victory in last year’s Hill Smith Stakes (1800m).

Johnstone was aboard Freedom Flame when it hit the lead in the Group 3 Auraria Stakes (1800m) at Morphettville earlier this year, but could not hold off fellow local Oaks hope Mating Call – the pair will meet again on Saturday.

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Morphettville respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which it is based and pays respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their elders, past, present, and future. We acknowledge the Kaurna people of the Adelaide plains and recognise and respect their cultural heritage, beliefs, and relationship with the land.