Born on March 23, 1986, Mark Walsh has developed into a big name on the Irish racing circuit, with most of his success coming thanks to his partnership with owner JP McManus. He’s developed into a jockey capable of winning a big race and has had plenty of success on both sides of the Irish Sea.
He began his career as a jockey back in 2002, and after just seven weeks in the saddle, he was able to get his first win on the board. This came aboard a horse called Shrug in a handicap hurdle at Punchestown.
He’s yet to win the Grand National but is edging closer, placing in both 2021 and 2022 on Any Second Now, with the most recent of those being a second-placed finish.
Mark Walsh Grand National Wins
Mark Walsh has never won the Grand National.
Their best finish to date was in 2022 with Any Second Now who came 2nd.
Full Results
| Year | Horse | Result | Prize Money | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Any Second Now | Fence 18 - Pulled Up | - | Ted Walsh |
| 2022 | Any Second Now | 2 | £211,100 | Ted Walsh |
| 2021 | Any Second Now | 3 | £100,000 | Ted Walsh |
| 2019 | Anibale Fly | 5 | £40,000 | Tony Martin |
| 2018 | Carlingford Lough | Fence Run In - Pulled Up | - | John Kiely |
| 2016 | Gallant Oscar | Fence 18 - Unseated Rider | - | Tony Martin |
| 2014 | Colbert Station | Fence 25 - Pulled Up | - | Ted Walsh |
| 2013 | Lost Glory | Fence 17 - Pulled Up | - | Jonjo O’Neill |
| 2012 | Arbor Supreme | Fence 10 - Unseated Rider | - | Jonjo O’Neill |
| 2011 | Quolibet | Fence 11 - Unseated Rider | - | Jonjo O’Neill |
| 2009 | Reveillez | Fence 3 - Brought Down | - | Jonjo O’Neill |
JP McManus Partnership
The career of Mark Walsh took a huge upturn when he was announced as a retained jockey for JP McManus. At the start of his time with McManus, AP McCoy was still riding and taking the number one rides for his retainer. So, at the bigger meetings, Walsh often found himself on the second or third-string runners.
However, in Ireland, when McCoy wasn’t across for a big meeting, Walsh would be able to ride the number one horses for the McManus team, and that led him to plenty of winners. Given the love of the Grand National that McManus has and the fact he always has multiple runners in the race, Walsh was handed many decent rides in the race but has so far failed to fire.
The biggest moments of his career so far have been around horses owned by JP McManus. Winning on horses such as Jezki, Champ, Unowhatimeanharry, Fakir D’oudairies and Espoir d’Allen have been highlights of Walsh’s career so far, all horses provided to him by the McManus connection.