Hall of Fame steeplechase rider and trainer Thomas M. Walsh dies

Thomas M. Walsh, a steeplechase rider and trainer who was inducted into the National Museum of Racing’s Hall of Fame, died Wednesday at the age of 79, according to the National Steeplechase Association.

Though Walsh had a long career as a trainer after he retired from riding, he made his most indelible mark as a jockey. Taught by his father, James, who ran a riding academy on Long Island, N.Y., Walsh had his first mount just prior to his 16th birthday, and over the course of the next 12 years riding, Walsh took the steeplechase jockeys’ riding title twice, in 1960 and 1966, while consistently finishing among the leaders in other years.

Walsh rode three champions during his career, Barnabys Bluff (1962), Bon Nouvel (1964-65), and Mako (1966). He won the Grand National five years in a row, from 1959-1963. He took the Grand National again in 1965, aboard Mako. He won the Saratoga Steeplechase Handicap three times, the Harbor Hill Handicap three times, and the New York Turf Writers Cup twice.

Walsh also won the Temple Gwathmey three times. In his first win in the race, in 1965, he rode Ben Nouvel to a 30-length victory under 170 pounds, setting a course record at Aqueduct.

Walsh was part of a large steeplechase family. In addition to learning to ride from his father, Walsh rode frequently for his uncle, the trainer Michael G. “Mickey” Walsh, another Hall of Fame member.

As a trainer operating a small stable from 1976 to 2013, Walsh won a total of 178 races from 1,918 starts, with earnings of $4.46 million. His best training years were from 1990-92, when he topped $300,000 in earnings all three years.