Tommy Walsh, a Hall of Fame steeplechase jockey, died Wednesday at age 79. Hailing from a family of steeplechase horsemen, he completed his first championship season in 1960 with 29 jumps victories and eclipsed that in 1966 with 37 wins.
During his career, he rode champions Barnabys Bluff, Mako and Bon Nouvel, including a 30-length victory aboard the latter in the 1965 Temple Gwathmey at Aqueduct. He had a notable streak of five consecutive victories in the Grand National, then run at Aqueduct or Belmont Park, beginning with two victories by Sun Dog in 1959 and 1960.
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