Michael Walsh
Born in 1881, National Hunt jockey Michael Walsh rode 40 winners over jumps between 1901 and 1911 and took part in four Grand Nationals.
Born in 1881, National Hunt jockey Michael Walsh rode 40 winners over jumps between 1901 and 1911 and took part in four Grand Nationals.
He made his debut with two rides at Plumpton on November 17, 1900. Having failed to complete on his first mount, Miss Smiler, in the Middleton Selling Chase, he then finished second on Little Cicestrian in the Redhill Handicap Chase.
He made his debut with two rides at Plumpton on November 17, 1900. Having failed to complete on his first mount, Miss Smiler, in the Middleton Selling Chase, he then finished second on Little Cicestrian in the Redhill Handicap Chase.
He achieved his first success aboard 13-8 on favourite Defence in the Pen Fields Selling Chase at Keele Park on October 23, 1901. He enjoyed his most successful year in 1902 with 12 wins, the only time he won more than six races in a calendar year. They included a New Year’s Day double at Manchester on Trouvere in the Maiden Hurdle and Dr Charlie in the Club Maiden Chase.
He achieved his first success aboard 13-8 on favourite Defence in the Pen Fields Selling Chase at Keele Park on October 23, 1901. He enjoyed his most successful year in 1902 with 12 wins, the only time he won more than six races in a calendar year. They included a New Year’s Day double at Manchester on Trouvere in the Maiden Hurdle and Dr Charlie in the Club Maiden Chase.
Michael finished third on Dr Charlie in the 1903 Champion Chase over the Grand National fences. He rode four times in the Grand National itself without managing to complete the course. His first mount, 20-1 shot Aunt May, failed to finish in 1902; he fell on 40-1 chance Patlander in 1903, refused on 100-1 outsider Knight Of St Patrick in 1904, then had another fall on 14-1 chance Roman Law in 1906.
Michael finished third on Dr Charlie in the 1903 Champion Chase over the Grand National fences. He rode four times in the Grand National itself without managing to complete the course. His first mount, 20-1 shot Aunt May, failed to finish in 1902; he fell on 40-1 chance Patlander in 1903, refused on 100-1 outsider Knight Of St Patrick in 1904, then had another fall on 14-1 chance Roman Law in 1906.
He recorded one other double during his career, that being at Cardiff on November 9, 1904, when he won the Barry Selling Chase on Matagon and the Three Miles Selling Chase on Little David, coming home in isolation on the latter, the only other finisher having been remounted after falling.
He recorded one other double during his career, that being at Cardiff on November 9, 1904, when he won the Barry Selling Chase on Matagon and the Three Miles Selling Chase on Little David, coming home in isolation on the latter, the only other finisher having been remounted after falling.
Michael’s last winner was Flying Machine in the Novices’ Hurdle at Folkestone on February 27, 1911. He rode for the final time two months later, Easter Monday, April 17, 1911, when finishing unplaced on Chitana in the Easter Handicap Hurdle at Portsmouth Park.
Michael’s last winner was Flying Machine in the Novices’ Hurdle at Folkestone on February 27, 1911. He rode for the final time two months later, Easter Monday, April 17, 1911, when finishing unplaced on Chitana in the Easter Handicap Hurdle at Portsmouth Park.
