Transgender greyhound trainer Ashley Walsh finds his peace

WARNING: Distressing content

By Jordan Gerrans

Greyhound trainer Ashley Walsh is at peace.

But, he is not quite ‘complete’. Not yet anyway.

That will come in the middle stages of 2024.

The Deception Bay-based dog conditioner has been on a lengthy journey that dates back to his school days that is about to hopefully come to a positive end.

Walsh was assigned female at birth and in his late teenage years he decided to medically transition to now identify as a male.

Through all the highs and lows of the surgeries, specialist appointments and therapy, Walsh has had his passion right there with him for every step of the journey – greyhounds.

He is an animal lover and has been on a good run with his small team of chasers in recent months, collecting three winners and five minor placings since the start of September.

While his team of dogs have been on a hot streak, he has been mentally preparing for another significant surgery on his transition path.

He has had a hysterectomy already as well as other surgeries and will have another this month before completing the process in early 2024.

How will he feel when it is all complete next year?

“I will be able to live my life without the dysphoria kicking in and taking over,” Walsh said.

“At this stage, it is problematic, but once it is complete I can start looking at dating and things along those lines.

“I can then feel ok in myself and be able to do things a biological male can do. It will be awesome.”

The grandson of former greyhound trainer David Keep is passionate about the sport as well as educating others on transgender issues.

He battled his mental demons through depression in high school and through speaking publicly in Racing Queensland’s Racing with Pride series, Walsh hopes to provide an insight into his plight to help others who may be battling with similar struggles.

“Depression just spirals,” he said of his younger years.

“I am at peace, what I have done has helped me emotionally and psychologically, all of those things. I have progressed and done so well – I am so proud of how far I have come following the struggles I have faced. 

“If you are true to yourself then you just have to do it. You have to do what you need to do for yourself, as at the end of the day it is your life.

“Regardless of what other people think, you have a place on earth here to live.

“I have always been one to solider on, I have never cared about what other people think as it is my life and I intend to lead it to the fullest.”

It is only a small team but Bella Bunyip and Icy Hot have been running well for their trainer of late.

Icy Hot has recorded recent victories at Albion Park and Capalaba while Bella Bunyip also has a triumph at headquarters on her recent hit-list.

Both dogs are raced by Kerry Myers, with Walsh chuffed to get the chance to race the dogs.

Walsh aims to not overwork his greyhounds and keeps them generally happy, which he believes has led to their recent run of strong form.

“I have been very successful since starting with them, it has been very enjoyable,” he said.

“They are doing so well and I am so happy with the progress they are making.

“The time spent with them at the track is even better. They have come out and have shown their true colours in recent weeks.

“I have been blessed to be given these girls and it has been an absolute joy.”

Walsh runs the business Classic Cattery and Boarding Kennels alongside his grandfather.

He is around animals almost 24-7.

Whenever he steps foot on Albion Park, Capalaba or Ipswich tracks, Walsh feels nothing but love and care from other participants and officials, describing the atmosphere as ‘welcoming’.

“The industry has been fantastic, a lot of people have been supportive,” he said.

“A lot of people are very curious about where I am up to in my transition and I am very happy to answer them.

“They have been great and I have not had any negative experiences in the industry. You have got to be willing to answer questions as that might help that person and their family or friends if they are going through something similar.

“Everything that has been out there in the public has helped me on my journey.”

Walsh has been around the breed of dog since his early teenage years, first working with greyhounds as a 14-year-old through the influence of his grandfather.

Keep is a man Walsh listens closely to and will often go to him for knowledge around his training pursuits.

The first race dog he ever worked with still has a special place in his heart.

The bitch – Ginnagin – won eight career races and placed on more than 30 other occasions.

“I had great success with her and she now hangs around my neck in a chain,” the trainer said.

“I carry her with me everywhere. She passed away with cancer.”

The keen trainer dreams of one day preparing a dog to Group level races.

Walsh is preparing his team of greyhounds with just one hand after losing one and some of his arm in an accident when he was a teenager.

He has basically lost his hand and wrist area. 

Looking back on his journey with the tragic incident, Walsh believes being around the dogs helped with his post-traumatic stress disorder from it all.

That is also the case with his depression from his teenage years when he was confused and bullied at high school about his gender. 

He struggled in primary and high school and didn’t want to be there as he was not comfortable in himself.

Because of that, he did not complete his secondary studies and began working with his grandfather.

Like many transgender people, Walsh has battled gender dysphoria throughout his life.

The Brisbane-based Dr Fiona Bisshop has guided him through his journey, with the trainer referring to Bisshop as ‘fantastic’.

“It gave me a sense of hope that there was life ahead for me,” he said when he started his transition process.

“There was a lot of dark days before that, it was not very nice.

“Things started to fall into place and things started to happen for me.”

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