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David Walsh (jockey)

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David Walsh
Full nameDavid Michael Walsh
OccupationJockey
Born1959
Ashburton, New Zealand
Significant horses
Courier Bay, Lomondy, Solvit

David Walsh (born October 1959) is a former jockey in Thoroughbred racing in New Zealand.[1] He is notable for having won the New Zealand jockey's premiership twice and riding over 2,500 winners in New Zealand and overseas.

Racing career

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David Walsh was born in Ashburton. His father Michael was a shearer and freezing worker. David was encouraged by his grandfather Mac McEwen to be a jockey.[2]

David Walsh was apprenticed to Jim Lalor and had his first race-day start at Riccarton Park Racecourse during New Zealand Cup week in 1974 and his first winner, Three Sevens in December of that year. He rode three other wins in his first season.[3]

Walsh's total of over 2,500 victories in his four decade career includes races in Australia, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia and Mauritius. He has the second highest total of New Zealand winners behind Chris Johnson. Walsh previously held the New Zealand record total having overtaken Lance O'Sullivan's total on 27 April 2014 when he rode Willy Duggan to win at Blenheim.[4] There are only eight jockeys who have ridden 2,000 New Zealand winners:

Walsh's most notable win was the 1994 Cox Plate with Solvit.

Walsh retired in 2017.[7]

Notable victories

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The following are some of the major races Walsh has won.

Year
Race
Horse
Trainer(s)
1986 Telegraph Handicap Tanalyse D Grubb
1986 Adelaide Cup Lomondy Noel Eales
1986 Brisbane Cup Marlon Bruce Marsh
1986 Caulfield Cup Lomondy Noel Eales
1987 Telegraph Handicap Courier Bay G A White
1988 Telegraph Handicap Courier Bay G A White
1994 Cox Plate Solvit Moira Murdoch
2002 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes Saint Cecile Nigel Auret

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "David Walsh / Jockey Profile / RaceInfo". loveracing.nz. Retrieved 23 December 2021.
  2. ^ DB Racing Annual 1985 (14th edition). Costello, John, Editor. Moa Publications, Auckland, New Zealand.
  3. ^ "Champion Jockey David Walsh Retires". loveracing.nz. Retrieved 23 December 2021.
  4. ^ "David Walsh cracks O'Sullivan's win NZ record". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 23 December 2021.
  5. ^ "Jockeys With More Than 100 New Zealand Wins". www.racebase.co.nz.
  6. ^ "Bosson joins exclusive 2000-win club". NZ Herald. 22 December 2023.
  7. ^ "www.stuff.co.nz/sport/racing/88315225/recordsetting-jockey-david-walsh-hangs-up-his-saddle". stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 23 December 2021.