About Michael

Michael Walker is a New Zealand jockey who has experienced many highs and lows in his action packed twenty five years of life to date. Michael was born in Rotorua , although his family later moved to Waitara in Taranaki. When he was eleven Michael approached local thoroughbred trainer Allan Sharrock, asking for work with his horses. Michael would go to the Sharrock stables before, after and often during school time.  Alan could see that Michael was keen and also displayed a natural affinity with the horses so he offered Michael an apprenticeship. Because Michael was still only 15 at the time, Alan had to arrange a special dispensation for Michael to start riding in races. The usual starting age is 16.

Michael was an instant success as an apprentice jockey. In the 1999/2000 racing season Michael had an amazing 131 wins to not only win the apprentices’ championship but also the jockeys’ premiership as well. As an apprentice Michael won a staggering 653 races, mostly in New Zealand (a record 631 wins), but also in Australia, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Japan, Singapore and Macau.

In April 2004, at the age of 20, Michael became a fully fledged jockey. The very next day he rode 5 winners at Woodville.
In May 2004 Michael made the decision to move to Australia to live in Melbourne. He saw this as a natural progression already taken by other champion New Zealand jockeys such as Midge Didham, Greg Childs, Brent Thompson, Shane Dye and Jim and Larry Cassidy.

Michael left with the blessing of Alan Sharrock and the New Zealand racing fraternity.
He rode trackwork at Caulfield on Tuesdays and Flemington on Thursdays. He rode long shot Monde Special to win the Warrnambool Cup in his first week and then Chloe With Class to win at Moonee Valley to record his first city win. A few days later he rode a treble at Ballarat and the world seemed his oyster.
Winning the Brisbane Cup on Danestorm in June 2004 was another highlight.

Michael then lost focus and form and rides and wins dried up. He went through a period of enjoying life off the track more than he did on it and as a result made some decisions he later came to regret.

In 2005 he decided to return to New Zealand. He was extremely fortunate to be asked to be stable rider for leading Matamata trainer Mark Walker. It did not take long for the partnership to fire and the two had spectacular success. In 2006 Michael won the Auckland Cup on Pentane for trainer Lance O'Sullivan.

On May 20, 2008 life took a serious nosedive, literally, when Michael was badly injured while pig hunting in Taranaki.
Initial news reports did not sound good: “Top jockey Michael Walker was today winched out of remote King Country bush by helicopter after falling over a bluff while pig-hunting yesterday.  Walker and two companions were hunting at Okau, near Ohura, when the incident occurred, according to Taranaki Community Rescue Helicopter Trust manager Noel Watson.
One of Walker's companions walked out of the bush this morning and raised the alarm at 8.30am. Walker's injuries are unknown.
Walker is New Zealand's leading jockey and has ridden 173 winners this season.”

It soon became apparent that Michael was very lucky to survive the fall.
He was initially taken to Taranaki Base Hospital and then transferred to Auckland City Hospital with serious head injuries.
His recovery was slow and Michael spent seven months recouperating from the accident,

This newspaper article in the Waikato Times on 18/06/2008 gave an indication of his progress:

“Jockey Michael Walker is walking, talking, and has had his first trip home since he sustained life-threatening injuries during a pig-hunting trip last month.
Walker, 24, fell more than 10m down a bluff while hunting in remote King Country bush on May 19.
Despite his condition being life-threatening for the first 72 hours, the champion jockey is making remarkable progress in his recovery, said fiancee Candace Smith.
Walker is currently undergoing treatment in a Wellington rehabilitation unit, having progressed gradually from being in a coma in intensive care four weeks ago.
"Michael is walking and talking. He is fully aware of what has happened and has suffered no memory loss," Miss Smith said in a statement.

Walker was able to go home to Hawera last weekend, spend time with his son Kase, see his horses and dogs, and watch racing on TV, she said.
"He has personally opened every card sent to him and is extremely humbled by the support. He wants to thank everyone for their support."
Miss Smith said Walker was doing well but realised he had "a long way to go".
He wanted people to know he was making good progress but urged media to respect his privacy.
He also wanted to personally acknowledge the medical staff in New Plymouth, Auckland, and Wellington who had helped care for him.
Walker had ridden 173 winners this season and was on track to become the first jockey to ride 200 winners in a season before his accident.”

Michael made an amazing recovery and with the support of the Walker stable scored a win in only his second ride after his accident, at Matamata on 4 December 2008.
Success continued in 2009 with wins on Ginga Dude in the Group 2 Avondale Cup, on Dane Julia in the Bloodstock Breeders Stakes at Te Aroha, and on Juice in the Rotorua Stakes.

There is no question that Michael took his eye off the ball in both his riding career and his personal life in recent times, which is totally understandable after such a fast paced and successful initial career. The horrific accident would have finished most other people’s resolve to carry on. Surgeons, doctors and nursing staff are amazed that Michael survived. They have expressed huge admiration of his ability to return to the saddle.

2010 promises to be the start of a resurgence in this remarkably talented riders life.

Michael is only 26 years of age and has many years of Group 1 winners to come.

His desire and determination is strong. There are many owners and trainers in New Zealand who are very keen to utilise Michael’s talent, as illustrated recently when Michael had 10 rides from 11 races at Riccarton meeting, followed three days later by another 10 rides from 10 races at New Plymouth.

Michael’s goal for the balance of the 2009/2010 season is very realistic. He wants to finish Top 4 in the NZ Jockey’s Premiership and reduce his winning strike rate to under 7.

A new sponsorship arrangement with JLT for the balance of the 2009/2010 season will allow Michael to travel far and wide to as many meetings as possible.

It will be a challenge, but if there is one man who can make it happen, it is Michael Walker.

Michael became a father on the 9th March 2006 when his son Kase was born. It was a great moment and one which Michael cherishes with special fondness. This was repeated two years later when beautiful Layla was born on the 5th November 2008. The fact that Michael was there was in itself a miracle.