Jim Cassidy (born 21 January 1963) is a retired New Zealand jockey who has been inducted in both the Australian Racing Hall of Fame and the New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame.
Life and career
Jim Cassidy was one of seven children of Arthur "Blue" and Francie Cassidy of Wellington, New Zealand.
Cassidy initially rode in New Zealand with Pat Campbell in the Hawkes Bay, having over 500 winners in his country of birth. He achieved even greater success in Australia.
Cassidy rode Kiwi from last into the straight to win the 1983 Melbourne Cup. He won his second Melbourne Cup in 1997 aboard Might and Power and they also won the following year's Cox Plate.
Cassidy has won the Australian Derby three times; in 1990, 1993 and in 2009.
Cassidy is the third jockey to win 100 group one races, winning his 100th race aboard Zoustar in the Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on Saturday 2 November 2013.
His older brother Ricki was an apprentice jockey to Trevor McKee and Larry V Cassidy, who is seven years younger than Jim, went on to be a Sydney Premiership winning jockey. Larry also started riding in New Zealand before moving to Australia, winning three Sydney premierships and later embarking on stints in Hong Kong, Singapore and Macau. After returning to Australia, Larry continued his riding career in Queensland.
Jim Cassidy's daughter, Nicole, married Brisbane and Hong Kong champion jockey, Zac Purton.
Cassidy released his autobiography titled "Pumper" through Macmillan Books in October 2016.
Notable wins The following are some of the races Jimmy won in New Zealand and Australia.
Year Race Horse Trainer(s)1980New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1981 (Tenth edition). Costello, John, Editor. Moa Publications, Auckland, New Zealand. Stewards Handicap, Riccarton Killjoy J.N.J Healey, Richmond 1981 Brisbane Cup Four Crowns D Enright 1981New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1982 (Eleventh edition). Costello, John, Editor. Moa Publications, Auckland, New Zealand. Wellesley Stakes, Trentham Bisette Trevor McKee1981 Avondale Cup Alice Mrs J Hercock, Hastings 1983New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1984 (Thirteenth edition). Costello, John, Editor. Moa Publications, Auckland, New Zealand. Wellington Cup Kiwi Snow Lupton, Waverley 1983 Melbourne Cup Kiwi Snow Lupton, Waverley 1983 New Zealand 1000 Guineas Burletta F P Campbell, Hastings 1983 Levin Classic Burletta F P Campbell, Hastings 1984 Manawatu Sires Produce Stakes Vin D'Armour J R Lynds, Woodville 1983/84 Canterbury Gold Cup Commissionaire Noel D Eales, Awapuni 1983/84 Great Northern Breeders Oaks Silver Elm Noel D Eales, Awapuni 1983/84 Matamata Breeders Stakes Vin D'Armour J R Lynds, Woodville 1983/84 Eulogy Stakes Burletta F P Campbell, Hastings 1983/84 Gold Trail Stakes Burletta F P Campbell, Hastings 1984 Cambridge Stud International Stakes Commissionaire Noel D Eales, Awapuni 1985Victoria DerbyHandy ProverbBrian Mayfield-Smith1985Bayer ClassicBonecrusherFrank Ritchie1986Sydney CupMaroonedBrian Mayfield-Smith 1990 Australian Derby Dr Grace Dr G Chapman 1991 Doomben Cup Rough Habit John Wheeler 1992 Doomben Cup Rough Habit John Wheeler 1992 All Aged Stakes Rough Habit John Wheeler 1992 AJC Queen Elizabeth Stakes Rough Habit John Wheeler 1993 All Aged Stakes Rough Habit John Wheeler 1993 Australian Derby Innocent King K A Jordan 1993 Doomben Cup Rough Habit John Wheeler 1994Doomben 10,000 Flitter M Lees1994 Caulfield Stakes Rough Habit John Wheeler 1997 Caulfield Cup Might and Power Jack Denham 1997 Melbourne Cup Might and Power Jack Denham 1998 W. S. Cox Plate Might and Power Jack Denham 1998 Caulfield Stakes Might and Power Jack Denham 1999 Manikato StakesRedoute's ChoiceRick Hore-Lacy2000Rosehill Guineas Diatribe George Hanlon2000 Caulfield Cup Diatribe George Hanlon 2001 Golden Slipper Stakes Ha Ha Gai Waterhouse 2001 Australasian Oaks Tempest MornGai Waterhouse2002Canterbury StakesEmpireMax Lees2003Champagne Classic (BRC)ShamekhaGai Waterhouse2003All Aged StakesArlington RoadGai Waterhouse2009 George Ryder Stakes Vision and Power Joseph Pride 2009 Australian Derby Roman Emperor Bart Cummings 2012Hawkesbury Gold Cup Somepin Anypin Gary Portelli2012Doomben 10,000Sea SirenJohn O’Shea2013Canterbury Stakes Pierro Gai Waterhouse 2013 Coolmore Stud Stakes Zoustar Chris Waller 2013 Golden Rose Stakes Zoustar Chris Waller 2013Queensland DerbyHawkespurChris Waller 2015 All Aged Stakes Dissident Peter Moody
See also
Thoroughbred racing in New Zealand Thoroughbred racing in Australia Lance O'Sullivan Shane Dye
References
Further reading