A day at the races with Shaun Johnson
At Sydney’s Golden Eagle Day, former NRL star Shaun Johnson swapped his footy boots for brogues. As he tells Esquire, these days the races are less about the finish line and more about the fun
By Cayle Reid
DURING HIS TIME in the NRL, Shaun Johnson always knew how to create space through his footwork, playmaking and kicking ability. Give him the ball and there was a good chance he could make something out of nothing. Since retiring at the end of the 2024 season, the 35-year-old has learnt to create something he never used to have much of – time to himself.
When he turns up at Royal Randwick Racecourse for Golden Eagle Day, sharply dressed in a suit from New Zealand-based brand Working Style, Johnson isn’t there solely for a punt – he’s there to soak up the atmosphere. “Honestly, it’s the whole experience,” Johnson tells Esquire when asked what brought him out this year. “It’s such an unreal atmosphere here at Royal Randwick – you’ve got a mix of everything. A bit of racing, fashion, entertainment, hospitality and banter with a few locals.”
Golden Eagle Day, part of the Sydney Everest Carnival, is one of the rare occasions where the city’s sporting and social worlds collide. For some, it’s about the horses. For others, it’s about the champagne, the fashion, or just the excuse to dust off a suit. For Johnson, it’s a balance. And that’s a word that carries new meaning for him these days.
Now retired from professional footy and deep into family life, the 35-year-old New Zealander has become something of an exemplar of what life after sport can look like. He’s a podcaster, an analyst, and – on weekends like this – just another bloke enjoying a bit of downtime. “These days, it seems to be more about quality time with Kayla,” he says, referring to his wife, Silver Ferns netballer Kayla Johnson. “We’ve got a bit on with our two girls, work commitments and a little one on the way, so when we get the chance to slow down and enjoy each other’s company, we try to make the most of it.”
While plenty of race day chatter centres on odds and outfits, Johnson’s focus is on enjoying himself. “For me, it’s the atmosphere,” he says. “There’s this energy that comes with big race days, especially for the Sydney Everest Carnival. Everyone’s dressed up, the weather’s great and you can feel an excitement in the air. It’s just a really good vibe and it’s nice to be part of something that brings so many people together.”
It helps, of course, that he looks the part. “I’ve gone for something classic and simple,” he says. “The crew at Working Style back home in NZ understood the brief so I’m feeling myself a little. I also had to make sure I got the final tick of approval from Kayla before we head out the door. Just look at her, she’s proper on so there’s a bit of pressure there.”
When asked if he enjoys the fashion and fanfare, Johnson admits: “I’d say I’m somewhere in between”. “I love the effort everyone puts into their looks because it’s definitely a fun part of the day,” he continues, “but I’m also a low-key guy at heart and happy to go with the flow. As long as I’m comfortable, enjoying the moment and surrounded by good people, I’m happy.”
And that’s really the thing about the races. Beneath the spectacle and the glam, the day is a reminder to pause and enjoy the good stuff, to celebrate style and a little bit of luxury, without taking any of it too seriously. As the sun dips over Randwick and the last race bell rings, you get the sense that for Johnson, it was never really about who crossed the line first, but everything that happened in between.
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