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Introduction

If ever a person was made to be a jockey, it was Oxford-born Walter Swinburn. Although sadly no longer with us, Swinburn was a jockey of some style and incredible performance. With major racing wins that many riders could only have dreamed of, the irrepressible Oxfordshire resident was one of the most impressive riders of the 70s and the 80s. with major wins starting at the Epsom Derby in 1981, he kept winning trophies right up to the end of the 1990s, with wins at the Piddle Park Stakes and the Phoenix Stakes being some of his last.

 

Career Summary

 

With so many victories that it’s hard to pick a major highlight, his rise to fame was made possible by riding the famous Shergar to success at the 1981 Epsom Derby. From there, he went on to become a trophy machine, winning numerous trophies right up his final return, the Phoenix Stakes in 1998.

 

Sadly, Walter died after falling out of a window in his bathroom. His surprise and accidental death was mourned by the racing community, aware they had lost one of the most impressive riders of a golden era for racing.

 

Achievements & Highlights

 

Major Wins – Epsom Derby (1981, 1986, 1995), July Cup (1981, 1986, 1987), King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (1981), Irish Derby (1983, 1986), Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (1983), Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (1985, 1989), Coronation Stakes (1986, 1987, 1992, 1998), Dewhurst Stakes (1986), International Stakes (1986, 1993, 1994, 1995), Sussex Stakes (1986, 1989), Epsom Oaks (1987), Irish Oaks (1987, 1988), Nassau Stakes (1987), Phoenix Stakes (1988, 1998), 2,000 Guineas (1988), 1,000 Guineas (1989, 1992, 1993), St. James’s Palace Stakes (1989), Lockinge Stakes (1990, 1995), Nassau Stakes (1990, 1994), Ascot Gold Cup (1991), Cheveley Park Stakes (1991, 1992), Coronation Cup (1992), Irish 1,000 Guineas (1992), Champion Stakes (1993), Eclipse Stakes (1994, 1995), Middle Park Stakes (1995)

 

Associations – Shergar.

 

Rupert Walsh was born on 14th May 1979 in County Kildare – Ireland. Walsh is the second child of Ted Walsh, another legendary Irish jockey. Like several of his contemporaries,Walsh was primarily inspired by his father’s interest in horses.

As a result of his father’s excellent performance in competitive races, Ruby Walsh showed encouraging talent from a very tender age. As a notable example of his early involvement in horse racing, the determined youth attained two distinct amateur wins in 1997/97 and 1997/8. After these significant breakthroughs which came as the jockey marked his 18th birthday, Walsh immediately joined professional riding – emboldened and with a renewed sense of optimism off the back of these early wins.

At the age of 20, Ruby Walsh won a maiden victory in the Grand National in 2000, marking the beginning of an unforgettable racing career. He achieved the remarkable feat riding Papillon, a horse coincidentally trained by his own father and owned by a certain Mrs. J Maxwell Moran. On top of that, both son and father triumphed in the Irish Grand National with Commanche Court that same year.

After the revered Tony McCoy took a permanent break from competitive racing in 2015, Ruby became the only active rider to have clinched all four Nationals. This has led to the longstanding winner becoming a popular and respected professional rider in Ireland and across the world.

Ruby Walsh enjoys a colorful career record featuring 2000 winners – 52 of them at the Cheltenham Festival. His favorites horses include Alexander Banquet (1998), Kauto Star (2007), Azertyuiop (2004) and Master Minded (2009).