Jack Walsh
Born in 1906, National Hunt jockey John Walsh, always known as Jack Walsh, rode 80 winners over jumps between 1928 and 1939 and took part in the 1931 Grand National.
Born in 1906, National Hunt jockey John Walsh, always known as Jack Walsh, rode 80 winners over jumps between 1928 and 1939 and took part in the 1931 Grand National.
He made his debut when finishing second on Saighton in the Foston Selling Handicap Hurdle at Uttoxeter on October 16, 1928. It didn’t take him long to get off the mark, less than three weeks, when riding Tannhauser to victory in the Chat Moss Handicap Hurdle at Manchester on November 2, 1928.
He made his debut when finishing second on Saighton in the Foston Selling Handicap Hurdle at Uttoxeter on October 16, 1928. It didn’t take him long to get off the mark, less than three weeks, when riding Tannhauser to victory in the Chat Moss Handicap Hurdle at Manchester on November 2, 1928.
Jack enjoyed his most successful season in 1929/30 with 17 wins, the highlight being a treble at Birmingham on November 25, 1929, winning the Smethwick Selling Chase on Sutton Wick, the Coleshill Chase on Brave May, and the Sutton Handicap Hurdle on Icelander.
Jack enjoyed his most successful season in 1929/30 with 17 wins, the highlight being a treble at Birmingham on November 25, 1929, winning the Smethwick Selling Chase on Sutton Wick, the Coleshill Chase on Brave May, and the Sutton Handicap Hurdle on Icelander.
He had his sole Grand National mount in 1931 aboard 100-1 outsider Theras, who outran his odds by lying fifth at halfway, only to be unluckily brought down on the second circuit.
He had his sole Grand National mount in 1931 aboard 100-1 outsider Theras, who outran his odds by lying fifth at halfway, only to be unluckily brought down on the second circuit.
He had another good season in 1931/32 with 14 winners, bolstered by doubles on both days of Hexham’s Whitsun meeting. On Saturday, May 14, he won the Hill Top Selling Handicap Hurdle on 14-year-old Felix II and the Target Handicap on Benzol. On the bank holiday Monday he won the Causey Hill Selling Hurdle on False Doctrine, then was reunited with Benzol to land the Summerodds Handicap Hurdle.
He had another good season in 1931/32 with 14 winners, bolstered by doubles on both days of Hexham’s Whitsun meeting. On Saturday, May 14, he won the Hill Top Selling Handicap Hurdle on 14-year-old Felix II and the Target Handicap on Benzol. On the bank holiday Monday he won the Causey Hill Selling Hurdle on False Doctrine, then was reunited with Benzol to land the Summerodds Handicap Hurdle.
Jack rode his last winner on 9-2 chance Cupid’s Cottage in the Billingham Chase at Sedgefield on February 8, 1939. He rode for the final time when finishing fifth on Fledgling in division one of the Thorparch Novices’ Hurdle at Wetherby on November 24, 1945.
Jack rode his last winner on 9-2 chance Cupid’s Cottage in the Billingham Chase at Sedgefield on February 8, 1939. He rode for the final time when finishing fifth on Fledgling in division one of the Thorparch Novices’ Hurdle at Wetherby on November 24, 1945.
Jack's treble at Birmingham in 1929
Jack's treble at Birmingham in 1929