Wally Irvine
Jump jockey Wallace Samuel (Wally) Irvine was born on November 3, 1965. He rode 104 winners in ten seasons with a licence.
Jump jockey Wallace Samuel (Wally) Irvine was born on November 3, 1965. He rode 104 winners in ten seasons with a licence.
His winners during the 1987/88 season included Pat Rodford’s ten-year-old Winart in the Coomes Handicap Hurdle at Plumpton. A far more prestigious prize lay in store the following season when he landed the Nicolet Instruments Handicap Hurdle on Mackeson Gold Cup day at Cheltenham aboard the Richard Holder-trained Sir Crusty.
His winners during the 1987/88 season included Pat Rodford’s ten-year-old Winart in the Coomes Handicap Hurdle at Plumpton. A far more prestigious prize lay in store the following season when he landed the Nicolet Instruments Handicap Hurdle on Mackeson Gold Cup day at Cheltenham aboard the Richard Holder-trained Sir Crusty.
Nine days after that Cheltenham victory, on November 21, 1988, Wally landed a 736/1 double at Windsor on Pucka Paddy and Setter Country. The following month he won the Gay Sheppard Memorial Challenge Trophy Handicap Hurdle on Smartie Express for trainer Ron Hodges.
Nine days after that Cheltenham victory, on November 21, 1988, Wally landed a 736/1 double at Windsor on Pucka Paddy and Setter Country. The following month he won the Gay Sheppard Memorial Challenge Trophy Handicap Hurdle on Smartie Express for trainer Ron Hodges.
The best horse he rode was Seagram, on whom he won the Fairview New Homes Handicap Chase at Newbury on February 10, 1989. Richard Rowe was originally down to ride, but was injured earlier that afternoon when coming down on Lumley Lake in the first race. Two weeks later, Wally won Kempton’s Emblem Handicap Chase on Pantechnicon for Bridgwater trainer Arthur Barrow.
The best horse he rode was Seagram, on whom he won the Fairview New Homes Handicap Chase at Newbury on February 10, 1989. Richard Rowe was originally down to ride, but was injured earlier that afternoon when coming down on Lumley Lake in the first race. Two weeks later, Wally won Kempton’s Emblem Handicap Chase on Pantechnicon for Bridgwater trainer Arthur Barrow.
Jaunter, trained by Bill Holden at Newmarket, was a good friend to Wally, providing him with four victories in conditional jockeys’ chases during the 1988/89 season, then landing the Watney Truman Wales Trophy Handicap Chase at Worcester on April 11, 1990.
Jaunter, trained by Bill Holden at Newmarket, was a good friend to Wally, providing him with four victories in conditional jockeys’ chases during the 1988/89 season, then landing the Watney Truman Wales Trophy Handicap Chase at Worcester on April 11, 1990.
Wally lost his right to claim a 3lb riding allowance when partnering Warm Winter to victory at Worcester on October 7, 1990.
Wally lost his right to claim a 3lb riding allowance when partnering Warm Winter to victory at Worcester on October 7, 1990.
Other notable wins to come his way included Devon & Exeter’s Diamond Edge Challenge Trophy Chase on David Gandolfo’s Noble Eyre on April 6, 1991; Stratford’s Oslo Trophy Chase on Setter Country on October 31, 1991; Fontwell’s Robert Gore Memorial Challenge Cup Chase on Ron Hodges’ General Merchant on April 14, 1992; and Ascot’s Manicou Handicap Chase on Setter Country on November 21, 1992.
Other notable wins to come his way included Devon & Exeter’s Diamond Edge Challenge Trophy Chase on David Gandolfo’s Noble Eyre on April 6, 1991; Stratford’s Oslo Trophy Chase on Setter Country on October 31, 1991; Fontwell’s Robert Gore Memorial Challenge Cup Chase on Ron Hodges’ General Merchant on April 14, 1992; and Ascot’s Manicou Handicap Chase on Setter Country on November 21, 1992.
While the 1992/93 campaign yielded a total of 13 winners, the following season was far less successful. One of Wally’s last winners was on Ryan Hodges’ handicap hurdler Northern Saddler at Newton Abbot’s 1993 Christmas meeting. He retired not long after, aged 28, citing a lack of rides as the reason and became travelling head lad to Paul Nicholls.
While the 1992/93 campaign yielded a total of 13 winners, the following season was far less successful. One of Wally’s last winners was on Ryan Hodges’ handicap hurdler Northern Saddler at Newton Abbot’s 1993 Christmas meeting. He retired not long after, aged 28, citing a lack of rides as the reason and became travelling head lad to Paul Nicholls.
Wally went on to ride Godolphin's lead horses for Lammtarra and Dubai Millennium, before hanging up his boots to be second head lad to John Gosden. He then started up his own transport business.
Wally went on to ride Godolphin's lead horses for Lammtarra and Dubai Millennium, before hanging up his boots to be second head lad to John Gosden. He then started up his own transport business.
Wally walked the full length of Hadrian's Wall (85 miles) for Kidney Research UK after his wife became ill.
Wally walked the full length of Hadrian's Wall (85 miles) for Kidney Research UK after his wife became ill.