Spotlight On: Nick Walsh

Cover photo supplied by Darren Winningham Photography

By Brodie Nickson

Nick Walsh, 25, has only been training for a handful of years, but has already forged an impressive reputation in Central Queensland.

Walsh has recorded 113 career wins from 342 starters, a whopping 33 per cent winning strike-rate.

The humble Rockhampton local has grown up around horses his whole life.

“My family was always around the racing industry,” Walsh said.

“My grandfather had trotters and I began riding some trackwork at Callaghan Park before it really kicked-off from there.”

Walsh is also close mates with fellow Rockhampton trainer, Tom Smith.

Smith, 22, is the son of local legend Fred Smith, who has trained horses in the town for more than 30 years.

The pair grew up together and built a close bond in and away from the stables.

“I actually started off riding trackwork for Fred and they are very close family friends, so I spent a lot of time at their stables,” Walsh said.

A former rodeo rider, Walsh cut his teeth riding horses across Central Queensland and quickly developed a passion for the animal.

Walsh immersed himself in the racing industry and never shied away from a new challenge.

“A couple of years ago I was riding trackwork and then began pre-training a couple of horses,” he said.

“After a while I bought a horse for myself and my partner and it just grew from there.”

Walsh and his partner, now fiancée Brooke, purchased five-year-old gelding Regal Reece for $1500.

The bargain buy won four of 13 starts for the stable, including three on the bounce.

Regal Reece set the tone for his stable, which has now grown to 12 horses in work, even ballooning to 20 at stages.

“Twelve is the number I am comfortable with balancing around work. Any more than that just becomes a little bit of a stretch,” Walsh said.

Walsh still juggles the stable with his role as a business development manager.

“I only work three days a week so it isn’t too bad, but I have good staff behind me so that also helps,” he said.

Walsh attests the boutique size and hands-on approach to his horses as a key reason for his success.

He has already recorded two metro winners, including his latest triumph with eight-year-old gelding Bollente at Doomben in August.

The veteran had to do it the tough way in the 1600m No Metro Wins at Doomben on August 19, working outside the leader throughout the race, before chasing him down on the post.

“I was pretty confident going there. It was a fair drop in class from an Open race a few weeks before to a No Metro race,” Walsh said.

“I know he had 59kg, but the weight doesn’t bother him and he is the sort of horse who will run the same race with 55kg compared to 59kg. That is just the sort of horse he is.

“If everything goes to plan, he will likely be my Rockhampton Cup horse next year.”

Walsh wasn’t prepared to take all the recognition with Bollente’s city success, drawing high praise for Trevor Lambourne, who was essential in nursing the veteran back to health.

“Trevor did a lot of rehabilitation with Bollente where he probably spent six-months at his place to get his legs back on track,” Walsh said.

“He never would have won without him.”

Bollente is just the latest of Walsh’s horses to taste success down the Bruce Highway.

Walsh successfully travelled stable star Aleysa’s Dream on multiple occasions, including his maiden metropolitan victory at Eagle Farm in December 2021.

The Carrara mare proved too fast for her opposition over 1000m in a Benchmark 85, however, it wasn’t until after a few anxious moments.

The team had to put a pause on celebrations when connections of the runner-up, Archer’s Paradox, threw in a protest.

“I have been in a few (protests) in Rockhampton and Mackay, but nothing to that level,” Walsh said.

“With where the interference was and the way that she won, I was pretty confident it would get dismissed.”

The success in town has only whet the appetite for Walsh and his connections for more city success.

Following Just Super’s narrow defeat in a Three-Year-Old Handicap at Eagle Farm in October last year, Walsh and connections opted to campaign the gelding in town this season.

“I have sent him to Steve O’Dea and Matthew Hoysted for a prep,” Walsh said.

“He trialled recently and only got beat a couple of lengths by Uncommon James

“We are going to give him a prep down there and we have built a good partnership with the stable.”

One of Brisbane’s premiere stables, Walsh was thrilled with the bond the two stables have been able to develop, opting to also send a recent yearling purchase to the stable.

“We also own another horse, Queen Assassin, who is with them,” Walsh said.

“I purchased her at the March sale and opted to send it to them.”

Similar to the O’Dea and Hoysted team, Walsh is a firm believer in placement.

Walsh admits maintaining his 33 per cent winning strike-rate requires a lot of work behind the scenes and the immense amount of form that goes into his placement.

He does all his own form for each potential target race, but also drew great appreciation for the help from prominent owner Gavin Milner.

“I have also got an owner, Gavin, who is very good at placing horses,” Walsh said.

“He does give me a hand quite a bit with placement of horses.

“Gavin races QTIS horses all over Queensland and is by far the best at placing a horse. He is huge on patience and always says ‘if you are better off waiting a week or two you should always do it’.”

When asked what the future holds for the Walsh stables, he was quick to highlight his hunger for more metro success.

“I would love to keep going how I am going and maintain it, but especially training a few more winners in town would be ideal,” he said.

Either way, it will be a big racing season for Walsh, on and off the track.

He and, Brooke, recently welcomed their first child, Jag, and the pair are also set to get married in August 2024.