Walker rode in Singapore during the Gold Cup weekend in 2000, scoring once in 13 rides and finished fourth in the big race on THE MIGHTY FINN, trained by Patrick Busuttin, who is sponsoring his current stint.

The following year, Walker rode at the Sprint Trophy Meeting at the invitation of the Penang Turf Club and booted home four winners.

Born in Rotorua, Walker moved to Waitara when he was seven to live with his grandmother and it was there that he was introduced to racing as his uncle Bruce Paul was a jockey.

Walker frequented the nearby track and watched his uncle in action. He knew right then that he wanted to be a jockey.

When he was 11 years old, Walker started to work at trainer Allan Shamrock’s stable after school until he could obtain an apprentice permit four years later (the legal age is 15 to hold a permit).

Four days after obtaining his permit on July 27, 1999, he had his first ride, finishing fourth. One month later, he scored his first success on AWESOME HEIGHTS and he has been living up to that name ever since.

In his first season in the saddle, Walker broke Shane Dye’s record of 78 winners, and then Opie Bosson’s mark of 128 winners by an apprentice. He finished the 1999/2000 season with 131 winners as the top apprentice and champion overall jockey. A remarkable achievement.

Walker did even better the following season, shattering Lance O’Sulivan’s record of 162 winners with a new mark of 182 winners. This record may never be equalled.

Since his Penang stint, Walker has also ridden by Hong Kong, Macau and Australia and is currently second in the jockeys’ premiership in New Zealand.