A graduate of the Racing Academy, County Kildare and formerly conditional jockey to Stuart Crawford, based in County Antrim, Dylan Johnston rode his first winner under rules, in a handicap hurdle at Downpatrick in June 2021, aboard Willyouwalkwithme, trained by Harry Smyth. 

He decided to cross the Irish Sea to join Rose Dobbin in South Hazelrigg, Northumbria and rode his first winner for the yard, Cliffs Of Dooneen, in a conditional jockeys’ handicap hurdle at Carlisle in April 2022. Johnston subsequently moved South to join Olly Murphy at Warren Chase Stables, in Wilmcote, near Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire. 

Shortly afterwards, he was offered the job as principal jockey to powerful owner Dai Walters, the founder of Ffos Las Racecourse, and is now based predominantly with Sam Thomas in Lisvane, Cardiff. His association with Walters has already yielded two high-profile winners, Lump Sum in the Welsh Champion Hurdle at Ffos Las in October 2024 and Steel Ally in the Kingmaker Novices’ Chase of February 2026.