Veteran jockey David Walsh has ridden more winners than any New Zealander, breaking Lance O’Sullivan’s record when he guided Willy Duggan to victory in Sunday’s Marlborough Cup in Blenheim.
It was his 2360th victory in New Zealand, bettering the mark set by O’Sullivan who retired in 2003.
Walsh, 54, is one of just five riders to score in excess of 2000 wins in New Zealand after riding his first winner on Three Sevens at Timaru in 1974.
Walsh has twice been crowned champion jockey in New Zealand – in 1983-84 with 113 wins, then again the following year with 138.
One of his greatest victories was secured in Australia with a breathtaking all-the-way win on Solvit in the 1994 WS Cox Plate at Moonee Valley.
Other international highlights include 1986 wins in the Caulfield and Adelaide Cups (both on Lomondy), 1986 Brisbane Cup (Marlon), 1986 QTC Sires’ Produce (Mr. Shannon) and the Singapore Gold Cup in 1991 on Starman.
