David Walsh (born October 1959) is a former jockey in Thoroughbred racing in New Zealand. 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
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.DB Racing Annual 1985 (14th edition). Costello, John, Editor. Moa Publications, Auckland, New Zealand.
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.
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. There are only eight jockeys who have ridden 2,000 New Zealand winners: Johnson Walsh Lance O'Sullivan Noel Harris David Peake Bill Skelton Michael Coleman Opie Bosson the latest to reach the threshold in December 2023
Walsh's most notable win was the 1994 Cox Plate with Solvit.
Walsh retired in 2017.
Notable victories
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 1986Caulfield Cup Lomondy Noel Eales 1987Telegraph Handicap Courier Bay G A White1988 Telegraph Handicap Courier Bay G A White 1994 Cox Plate Solvit Moira Murdoch 2002 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes Saint CecileNigel Auret
See also
Lisa Allpress Opie Bosson Noel Harris Chris Johnson Lance O'Sullivan Thoroughbred racing in New Zealand
References