Reggie Walker
(1882 - 1951)
(1882 - 1951)
Amateur rider Reggie Walker won the Irish Grand National four times, on Lord Rivers (1908), Little Hack II (1909), Small Polly (1912) and Punch (1915).
Amateur rider Reggie Walker won the Irish Grand National four times, on Lord Rivers (1908), Little Hack II (1909), Small Polly (1912) and Punch (1915).
Christened Reginald Henry Walker, he was born in County Meath, Ireland in 1882, the son of George Walker (c1860-1914) who rode under the nom de plume of ‘Mr Archer’ and had saddled Royston-crow to win the 1896 Irish Grand National.
Christened Reginald Henry Walker, he was born in County Meath, Ireland in 1882, the son of George Walker (c1860-1914) who rode under the nom de plume of ‘Mr Archer’ and had saddled Royston-crow to win the 1896 Irish Grand National.
In 1906 Reggie crossed the water to England and joined trainer Atty Persse at Stockbridge to learn the finer points of race riding, returning to Ireland in 1907. He rode in two Grand Nationals at Aintree, finishing ninth on Robin Hood IV in 1909 and falling on Paddy Maher in 1910.
In 1906 Reggie crossed the water to England and joined trainer Atty Persse at Stockbridge to learn the finer points of race riding, returning to Ireland in 1907. He rode in two Grand Nationals at Aintree, finishing ninth on Robin Hood IV in 1909 and falling on Paddy Maher in 1910.
His third Irish Grand National win on Small Polly in 1912 gave him particular satisfaction as he also owned the winner, who was trained by his father George. It was also a home-bred success because George had bred Small Polly by his own stallion, Apollo.
His third Irish Grand National win on Small Polly in 1912 gave him particular satisfaction as he also owned the winner, who was trained by his father George. It was also a home-bred success because George had bred Small Polly by his own stallion, Apollo.
Reggie owned, trained and rode the 1915 winner Punch (who had finished second in 1913 and 1914), having taken over the training on the death of his father the previous year. Punch finished second for a third time in 1916.
Reggie owned, trained and rode the 1915 winner Punch (who had finished second in 1913 and 1914), having taken over the training on the death of his father the previous year. Punch finished second for a third time in 1916.
Reggie Walker died in January 1951.
Reggie Walker died in January 1951.
Best wins:
Best wins:
Irish Grand National - Lord Rivers (1908), Little Hack ll (1909), Small Polly (1912) & Punch (1915).
Irish Grand National - Lord Rivers (1908), Little Hack ll (1909), Small Polly (1912) & Punch (1915).