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MICHAEL WALKER

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    Posted: 16 Feb 2023 at 9:03pm
A larrikin and one of my favourite jocks!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote Plastic letters Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Feb 2023 at 5:32pm
Sad news, a great jock
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote Second Chance Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Feb 2023 at 3:48pm
Sad news:

After riding more than 2000 winners in New Zealand, Australia, Hong Kong and Singapore, including 25 victories at the highest level, popular jockey Michael Walker has conceded that his career in the saddle is over.

Walker had his final race ride at Moonee Valley last July, before he had a fall at the Pakenham jumpouts in early August, which left him with a brain injury.  "I'll never be able to return to riding," Walker said.  "With the brain injury, it's just something that I'll never be able to do again."  Fatigue and memory issues are two of the main concerns that Walker said he now battles on a regular basis.

"Sometimes, I think that I'm getting better but obviously, I speak to my partner Lauren, we try to sit down to work out things, like I have to use a diary, there's heaps of little things I have to do to remember things," he explained.  "It's a day-to-day battle with the brain and also my back, because I broke my back as well, I still have to go to the physio every week. If I don't go to physio, it's like I could barely walk or pick the kids up.  "Everything that's happened with this last injury, it's just changed my life altogether.  "Things are so different, I would love to go to the races, I miss seeing horses, but I just struggle, I get tired. With noise and people around you, it makes you tired, if there's too much going on around me, it just zonks me."

In more positive news for Walker, he recently got engaged to his partner Lauren, who has been a pillar of support for him in his ongoing recovery from injury.  The New Zealander has won some of the biggest races on both sides of the Tasman, like the New Zealand Derby three times, two Australian Cups and a memorable Caulfield Guineas triumph on Mighty Boss in 2017, just to name a few.

A champion apprentice in his homeland, Walker was admired by the generation of riders in New Zealand that came after him, like Melbourne Cup-winning jockey James McDonald.  "He was incredible, the most gifted horseman," McDonald said.  "When we were growing up, he was the pin-up boy and extremely gifted on any sort of horse. He just was so talented at getting the best out of a horse.  "He was pretty exciting to watch when we were growing up back home."

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote Carioca Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Oct 2022 at 5:24pm
That pig hunting accident from years ago may have intervened as well , was a nasty head injury , best wishes Mick.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (2) Thanks(2)   Quote TJMitchell Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Oct 2022 at 4:01pm
Man that sounds way worse than I thought it was going to be
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote Gay3 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Oct 2022 at 3:52pm

Cuz continuing long recovery


More than two months on from a sickening fall during jumpouts at Pakenham, popular jockey Michael Walker is continuing his long road to recovery.

Walker has no recollection of the fall, which saw him airlifted to hospital with severe head injuries after his mount broke down in early August.

After weeks in hospital and rehabilitation, the 38-year-old is continuing his painstaking recovery at home with his partner Lauren and their two young children.

"It's a long, slow battle, but we're getting there," Walker said.

"I've been going to the physio, psychiatrist, speech pathologist and am booked in to see a neuropsychologist next week."

As for his future, Walker says the time will come when a decision needs to be made but for now his full focus is on continuing to get better both physically and mentally.

"My brain is still a bit slow, the way I'm talking and that, I'm still probably four or five months off being able to drive, I'm up and walking around, the surgeons have done an amazing job, a miracle really," Walker said.

"At the moment it's just day to day and taking the little steps forward, there will come a time where I sit down with Lauren and we discuss the future.

"I'm a family man, I have a beautiful partner and two young kids - they are the priority, always."

Wisdom has been chasing me but I've always outrun it!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Carioca Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 Aug 2022 at 3:11pm
Good news . Star
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Passing Through Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 Aug 2022 at 2:33pm
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote TJMitchell Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Aug 2022 at 12:37pm

Group 1-winning jockey Michael Walker is awake and communicating with doctors as he continues to make positive progress after a fall on Monday.

The 38-year-old was brought out of sedation and will be taken out of ICU and moved into a ward on Friday, the Victorian Jockeys' Association confirmed.

Walker was riding in a jump out at Pakenham on Monday morning when the horse he was riding collapsed.

He was treated by paramedics before being transported to the Alfred Hospital by helicopter.

Walker was placed in an induced coma, suffering serious head trauma following the fall. Initial scans on Monday afternoon cleared walker of any internal injuries or spinal damage.

Time is a flat circle
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote Gay3 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Aug 2022 at 2:04pm

Champion Kiwi jockey Michael Walker remains in an induced coma 24 hours after a fall at Pakenham jumpouts on Tuesday morning.

Walker’s condition remains serious but stable after initial scans cleared the jockey of spinal and internal injuries.

Doctors are dealing with a brain trauma.

The Victorian Jockeys’ Association CEO Matt Hyland told News Corp that doctors at the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne plan to reduce Walker’s sedation on Wednesday.

“As of last night, the plan was for the doctors to start to reduce the sedation over the next 24 hours,” Hyland said.

“Michael suffered a very heavy concussion, so the fact they are slowly bringing him out of sedation is positive.”

Walker’s manager Liam Prior told News Corp that Walker’s family has requested privacy until Walker’s injuries have been fully identified.

“Out of respect to the family, I won’t be making any further statements until we know the full extent of Michael’s injuries,” Prior said.

Wisdom has been chasing me but I've always outrun it!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Sister Dot Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Aug 2022 at 12:28am
Going back to breeding sound racehorses, and not trying to patch up crocks would help the jockeys cause. 
“Where in this wide world can man find nobility without pride, friendship without envy, or beauty without vanity? Here where grace is laced with muscle and strength by gentleness confined”
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (2) Thanks(2)   Quote Passing Through Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 Aug 2022 at 2:54pm
VJA Update: Scans at the Alfred have cleared Michael Walker of internal injuries. Currently in ICU with concussion. Further update as advised.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote acacia alba Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 Aug 2022 at 1:53pm
He has had more than his share of bad luck.  Best wishes and fingers crossed he comes thru this OK.
animals before people.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Passing Through Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 Aug 2022 at 1:26pm
Time for a racing,com desk job full time Cuz.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Gay3 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 Aug 2022 at 1:21pm


Racing.com understands the horse the 38-year-old was riding collapsed. Walker, who was drifting in and out of consciousness,  was treated for about an hour before being airlifted to the Alfred Hospital.

The fall comes 15 months after rupturing his ACL and requiring a full knee reconstruction at the same course which saw him out of the saddle for a year.


Racenet: Group 1 jockey Michael Walker had to be airlifted to hospital after falling at Pakenham jumpouts on Tuesday morning.

The Victorian Jockeys Association confirmed the talented hoop had been injured in a fall and was being attended to by medical personnel on track.

It's understood Walker was falling in and out of consciousness on track before a decision was made to transport the jockey to hospital.

Walker only returned to the saddle in May after spending more than a year on the sidelines with a leg injury that also required the hoop to surgery on an torn ACL. His manager Liam Prior said;

“He has been airlifted to hospital and medical specialists have placed him in an induced coma to help stabilise him.”



Edited by Gay3 - 02 Aug 2022 at 1:23pm
Wisdom has been chasing me but I've always outrun it!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote Passing Through Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 May 2021 at 5:40pm
Yes on the synthetic.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote Carioca Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 May 2021 at 5:21pm
Was this on that synthetic track anyone know ? if so kickback could be a contributor , imo There're crap.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote acacia alba Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 May 2021 at 4:58pm
Poor bloke.  Rotten bad luck for him. 
animals before people.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote Passing Through Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 May 2021 at 3:10pm
He has had shocking luck with injuries.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote Shawy38 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 May 2021 at 3:07pm
Couldn't find the M Walker thread, but this sounds absolutely horrendous.

Updated (11:30): Surgeons have had to cut open the leg of jockey Michael Walker to relieve pressure following a nasty fall at Pakenham on Thursday night.

Speaking to Racing.com from his bed at Dandenong Hospital on Friday morning, Walker explained that his leg, which he broke in the fall, remains open in two places and will be closed with further surgery on Sunday.

"They've had to cut open my leg from the knee down on both sides as there was so much pressure," Walker said.

"They had to do it because if not there was a possibility the nerves in my leg could die, and then the leg could die and then who knows what happens, they may have had to amputate.

"I'm booked in to have surgery on Sunday and the leg will remain open until then."

A shattered Walker said he was also informed on Friday morning that he has torn his ACL in his knee, an injury that can keep footballers on the sidelines for up to 12 months.

"I can't believe it, it was one of the most harmless falls I've ever been involved in and could be the worst," Walker said.

"I knew straight away I was in trouble because the pain in my leg was excruciating. I knew it was broken straight away and the pressure build up was a bit scary.

"The break is one thing, I've dealt with broken bones before, but I'm shattered about the ACL.

"I gave permission for the doctors to explore if I had any more issues in my leg and then they found the issue with the ACL.

"I've got more tests and scans to come because I'm in a fair bit of pain, I've got an MRI on my neck and shoulders, I think it should be okay, they don't think it is anything serious outside of the leg at this point."

The fall occurred in the final race at Pakenham on Thursday night, with Walker crashing to the track approaching the home bend.

He said he can recall the incident and remembers shifting to avoid a horse who was tiring through the field.

"I could see the horse coming back quickly and I tried to pop off to avoid it but I had Ben Allen to my outside and he had a rider tight to his outside, there wasn't a lot of room and I was half a length in behind and then there was slight movement and I came down," he said.

Stewards took initial evidence from Allen (Heljami), Daniel Stackhouse (Divine Rule) and Teo Nugent (Classy Pins) at Pakenham on Thursday night but have adjourned their inquiry to a later date so they can allow time before speaking to Walker.

Earlier (8:10am): Group 1-winning jockey Michael Walker is set for an extended period on the sidelines after breaking his leg in a fall at Pakenham on Thursday night.

Walker is set to undergo surgery on Friday for the break, after he clipped heels on board Insaaf and fell near the 500m in the last race of the night.

Walker, who was conscious after the fall, was transported to Dandenong Hospital complaining of pain in his neck and leg.

The Victorian Jockeys' Association confirmed Walker had suffered a broken leg on Friday morning and was set for surgery.

Stewards opened up an inquiry into the fall, which saw Insaaf clip the heels of Heljami and falter.

Initial evidence was taken from Ben Allen (Heljami), Daniel Stackhouse (Divine Rule) and Teo Nugent (Classy Pins). 

The inquiry was adjourned to a date to be fixed when stewards can interview Walker.

Insaaf showed no abnormalities in a post-race vets inspection.

Winning isn't everything, it's the only thing
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote VOYAGER Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Oct 2020 at 8:38pm
He is not the punters friend rusty, but that is because he only seems to get on horses at $17.00 or longer and the connections of Tagaloa have nothing to complain about because they would not have won a group one without his ride.


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote rusty nails Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Oct 2020 at 8:28pm
Seems to me, hes last on rails or 3 or 4 wide, no cover.

Hes lost me.

And the connections of tagaloa.....
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote VOYAGER Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Oct 2020 at 8:17pm
Surprised no one has mentioned his Sierra Sue ride.

very good ride and this mare if she finds her way to Rosehill for the Golden Eagle is right in contention. That was a cracker of a win.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SkyDancer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 May 2020 at 5:43pm
Saw him at Donald a couple of Saturday’s ago.

Not the only one though, a couple of weekends ago I was working at Horsham and Rawiller, Yendall & Newitt (all G1 winners) rode the trifecta
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote acacia alba Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 May 2020 at 4:25pm
I noticed Aquis dont have him on any recently.  Wondered about that.
animals before people.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote TJMitchell Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 May 2020 at 3:15pm
Quite a fall recently (not literal fall). Went from retained rider for one of the biggest breeding operations to hardly getting any metro rides lately.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote acacia alba Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Feb 2020 at 11:43pm
LOLThumbs Up   Sounds a bit like me .   Beer
animals before people.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Straight arrow Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Feb 2020 at 7:16pm
Sorry. No I’m just a muppet that follows the industry
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote acacia alba Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Feb 2020 at 3:53pm
LOL  I thought you could tell more than google.  Cry
animals before people.
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More what? You can use google
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