Katie Walsh
Katie Walsh was born on December 18, 1984, the daughter of leading amateur rider, trainer and television pundit Ted Walsh and the sister of top-class jump jockey Ruby Walsh.
Katie Walsh was born on December 18, 1984, the daughter of leading amateur rider, trainer and television pundit Ted Walsh and the sister of top-class jump jockey Ruby Walsh.
Prior to starting her racing career, she was successful in the sport of eventing. She began race riding in 2003. Her first winner was on Hannon, trained by her father, in a mile and a half amateur riders’ race at Gowran Park on October 10, 2003.
Prior to starting her racing career, she was successful in the sport of eventing. She began race riding in 2003. Her first winner was on Hannon, trained by her father, in a mile and a half amateur riders’ race at Gowran Park on October 10, 2003.
She rode her first two Cheltenham Festival winners in 2010, scoring on Poker De Sivola on the first day of the Festival in the four-mile National Hunt Chase Challenge Cup, then winning the County Hurdle on the last day aboard Thousand Stars.
She rode her first two Cheltenham Festival winners in 2010, scoring on Poker De Sivola on the first day of the Festival in the four-mile National Hunt Chase Challenge Cup, then winning the County Hurdle on the last day aboard Thousand Stars.
She made her Grand National debut in 2012. Riding Seabass, who was trained by her father, she finished third, which currently is the best finish achieved by a female jockey in the Grand National.
She made her Grand National debut in 2012. Riding Seabass, who was trained by her father, she finished third, which currently is the best finish achieved by a female jockey in the Grand National.
In September 2014, she became the first female rider to win the Kerry National in the race’s 69-year history with a tenacious front-running performance on Your Busy.
In September 2014, she became the first female rider to win the Kerry National in the race’s 69-year history with a tenacious front-running performance on Your Busy.
On April 6, 1015, she became the third woman to land the Irish Grand National when winning on the Gigginstown-owned Thunder And Roses, trained by Sandra Hughes, daughter of the late former top jockey and trainer Dessie Hughes.
On April 6, 1015, she became the third woman to land the Irish Grand National when winning on the Gigginstown-owned Thunder And Roses, trained by Sandra Hughes, daughter of the late former top jockey and trainer Dessie Hughes.
On April 27, 2016, she gained her first Grade 1 victory on Blow By Blow in the Champion INH Flat Race at Punchestown.
On April 27, 2016, she gained her first Grade 1 victory on Blow By Blow in the Champion INH Flat Race at Punchestown.
In March 2018 she rode her third Cheltenham Festival winner in the Grade 1 Champion Bumper, bringing the Willie Mullins-trained Relegate from the back of the field five furlongs out to catch the leader close home.
In March 2018 she rode her third Cheltenham Festival winner in the Grade 1 Champion Bumper, bringing the Willie Mullins-trained Relegate from the back of the field five furlongs out to catch the leader close home.
Katie married her long-time partner, the trainer Ross O’Sullivan, in Kildare in July 2013. She finished 12th in her sixth and last Grand National ride on Baie Des Iles, trained by her husband, in 2018.
Katie married her long-time partner, the trainer Ross O’Sullivan, in Kildare in July 2013. She finished 12th in her sixth and last Grand National ride on Baie Des Iles, trained by her husband, in 2018.
She announced her immediate retirement from race-riding after steering Antey to a narrow success in the SalesSense International Novice Hurdle at the Punchestown Festival on April 27, 2018. She only came in for the ride on Willie Mullins’ 9/1 shot Antey after his intended jockey Danny Mullins was injured in a fall earlier in the day. In a thrilling finish, the duo got up to beat Barry Geraghty’s mount Shady Operator by a nose.
She announced her immediate retirement from race-riding after steering Antey to a narrow success in the SalesSense International Novice Hurdle at the Punchestown Festival on April 27, 2018. She only came in for the ride on Willie Mullins’ 9/1 shot Antey after his intended jockey Danny Mullins was injured in a fall earlier in the day. In a thrilling finish, the duo got up to beat Barry Geraghty’s mount Shady Operator by a nose.
The 33-year-old said she had “wanted to go out on a winner”. Her fellow riders gave her a guard of honour as she returned to the weighing room for the final time.
The 33-year-old said she had “wanted to go out on a winner”. Her fellow riders gave her a guard of honour as she returned to the weighing room for the final time.
In addition to England and Ireland, Katie also rode winners in France and Australia during her successful career in the saddle.
In addition to England and Ireland, Katie also rode winners in France and Australia during her successful career in the saddle.