David Walsh
Jump jockey David Walsh was born in Clane, Co. Kildare, Ireland on January 4, 1975. Having emerged as a promising rider in his home country, he came to Britain at the start of the 1995/96 campaign and joined Nigel Twiston-Davies, who gave him his first big winner when Grange Brake took the Rehearsal Chase at Chepstow on December 2, 1995.
Jump jockey David Walsh was born in Clane, Co. Kildare, Ireland on January 4, 1975. Having emerged as a promising rider in his home country, he came to Britain at the start of the 1995/96 campaign and joined Nigel Twiston-Davies, who gave him his first big winner when Grange Brake took the Rehearsal Chase at Chepstow on December 2, 1995.
Based with Twiston-Davies, David quickly established himself as a leading conditional. He formed a successful partnership with champion trainer Martin Pipe and rode out his claim in November 1996. He also teamed up with David Nicholson, whose Barton Bank he rode into second place in the 1997 Cheltenham Gold Cup, beaten by AP McCoy on 20/1 shot Mr Mulligan.
Based with Twiston-Davies, David quickly established himself as a leading conditional. He formed a successful partnership with champion trainer Martin Pipe and rode out his claim in November 1996. He also teamed up with David Nicholson, whose Barton Bank he rode into second place in the 1997 Cheltenham Gold Cup, beaten by AP McCoy on 20/1 shot Mr Mulligan.
The following month, on April 3, 1997, David steered Barton Bank to victory in the Martell Cup Chase at Aintree – the gelding’s first win since 1993 – passing the post nine lengths clear of the Jim Dreaper-trained Merry Gale. Two days later he rode Grange Brake in the Grand National, getting to the fourth last fence where the horse refused.
The following month, on April 3, 1997, David steered Barton Bank to victory in the Martell Cup Chase at Aintree – the gelding’s first win since 1993 – passing the post nine lengths clear of the Jim Dreaper-trained Merry Gale. Two days later he rode Grange Brake in the Grand National, getting to the fourth last fence where the horse refused.
He finished that 1996/97 season with 34 victories, level with Barry Fenton as joint champion conditional jockey. He looked to have the racing world at his feet, but then it all went badly wrong. He was banned for one month by the Jockey Club after having tested positive for amphetamines in a random drugs test at Huntingdon racecourse on February 27, just three weeks before riding Barton Bank in the Gold Cup.
He finished that 1996/97 season with 34 victories, level with Barry Fenton as joint champion conditional jockey. He looked to have the racing world at his feet, but then it all went badly wrong. He was banned for one month by the Jockey Club after having tested positive for amphetamines in a random drugs test at Huntingdon racecourse on February 27, just three weeks before riding Barton Bank in the Gold Cup.
After serving his suspension, weight problems got the better of him. He shot up to 12st 7lb, ended up working on a building site and his career in the saddle looked over. He then left for Australia, succeeded in slimming back down to10st 3lb and resumed riding. Following two years in the wilderness, made a low-key return to British racing on July 14, 1999 when partnering Pull On, who finished unplaced in a bumper at Worcester.
After serving his suspension, weight problems got the better of him. He shot up to 12st 7lb, ended up working on a building site and his career in the saddle looked over. He then left for Australia, succeeded in slimming back down to10st 3lb and resumed riding. Following two years in the wilderness, made a low-key return to British racing on July 14, 1999 when partnering Pull On, who finished unplaced in a bumper at Worcester.
The following month, on August 9, David capped his return to race-riding with a winner at Worcester, partnering the Ginger McCain-trained Eben Al Habeeb to a four-length victory in the Sara Hodgkins Birthday Novices' Handicap Chase.
The following month, on August 9, David capped his return to race-riding with a winner at Worcester, partnering the Ginger McCain-trained Eben Al Habeeb to a four-length victory in the Sara Hodgkins Birthday Novices' Handicap Chase.
He rode what was to be his last winner on Sailor Jack for McCain in a juvenile selling at Catterick on January 6, 2000. His last ride was on Follow De Call, who finished sixth in a Hereford handicap chase on February 14. He finished the season with six winners from 138 rides.
He rode what was to be his last winner on Sailor Jack for McCain in a juvenile selling at Catterick on January 6, 2000. His last ride was on Follow De Call, who finished sixth in a Hereford handicap chase on February 14. He finished the season with six winners from 138 rides.
Having tried to re-establish himself as a jockey, he was hit with another ban in 2000 after becoming the first British-based rider to fail a drug test for a second time, after analysis of a sample he gave at Cheltenham on November 13, 1999 was found to contain frusemide and amiloride. Both had recently been added to the Jockey Club's list of banned substances, a fact of which the jockey claimed to be unaware.
Having tried to re-establish himself as a jockey, he was hit with another ban in 2000 after becoming the first British-based rider to fail a drug test for a second time, after analysis of a sample he gave at Cheltenham on November 13, 1999 was found to contain frusemide and amiloride. Both had recently been added to the Jockey Club's list of banned substances, a fact of which the jockey claimed to be unaware.
He said afterwards that he had not retired and was merely taking a break to sort out his recurring weight problems. However, this time he was unable to conquer them and failed to resurrect his once-promising career.
He said afterwards that he had not retired and was merely taking a break to sort out his recurring weight problems. However, this time he was unable to conquer them and failed to resurrect his once-promising career.