John Johnstone (businessman)

John Johnstone (born 1881) was a British businessman and rider. He was the taipan of the Jardine, Matheson & Co., member of the Shanghai Municipal Council and Legislative Council of Hong Kong.

He was the head of the Jardine, Matheson & Co. as well as director of numerous companies. He was member of the Shanghai Municipal Council and the Legislative Council of Hong Kong.

He was a keen rider and bore the reputation of being the best rider East of the Suez. He succeeded in winning the Jockey Cup on a pony named Ben-y-Gloe belonging to C. H. Ross, the former taipan of Jardines when he first went to Hong Kong in 1903. In 1904, he won the Professional Cup on a pony named Runaway Girl, purchased from W. A. Cruickshank. From 1903 to 1919, he rode in 1,178 races, winning 334, securing 192 seconds and 186 thirds, being unplaced 466 times, excluding the record of minor events such as Off Days or Gymkhanas. He was also the President of the St. Andrew's Society.

He left Hong Kong on 31 March 1921 for home by the Empress of Asia.

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