Johnathan Parkes (1988 – 18 October 2024) was a New Zealand jockey. Over a two-decade racing career, Parkes rode over 1,000 winners who earned over $19 million AUD in prize money. Parkes had 62 black type wins, including 12 Group 1 races.
| Johnathan Parkes | |
|---|---|
| Nickname | Parkesy |
| Occupation | Jockey |
| Born | 1988 Whanganui, New Zealand |
| Died | (aged 35) |
| Nationality | New Zealand |
| Weight | 57.5 kg (127 lb) |
| Career winnings | $19,950,915 |
| Career wins | 1043 wins, 62 black type races including 12 Group 1s |
| Significant horses | |
| Start Wondering, Julinksy Prince, Ransomed, Asterix, The Bubbles | |
Life and career
editParkes was from Whanganui. Parkes made his racing debut on 29 July 2004 aboard Harry D'akbar (NZ). He had his first win two days later on 31 July aboard Blissful Dancer (NZ).[1] He first began riding for trainer Grant Searle in Horowhenua, later transferring to Paul Belsham to be closer to his hometown.[2]
He later met trainer Fraser Auret who he would ride for over 600 times.[1] The pair would later share a number of significant career successes, among them the Grade 1 Windsor Park Plate (1600m) and Grade 1 Captain Cook Stakes (1600m) aboard Julinsky Prince.[2]
Parkes was known as a talented rider, but would struggle with weight issues throughout his career.[3][4][5]
In 2013, Parkes won his first Grade 1 race, the 2013 Spring Classic aboard Ransomed.[2] In the 2013–2014 racing season, he reached second on the New Zealand jockey premiership leaderboard.[6]
In 2018, Parkes again finished second on the New Zealand jockey premiership leaderboard with 118 wins.[4] After riding over 100 winners during the 2018–2019 race season, Parkes began to take on fewer rides, reportedly in an effort to preserve his mental and physical health after continually wasting to maintain riding weight.[7]
In March 2021, he rode I Wish I Win in his debut race, a win at Awapuni.[3][8] In May he broke his collarbone in a fall and had to take several weeks off of racing.[9]
In 2022, he won the 2022 New Zealand Derby aboard Asterix.[10] During the 2022 – 2023 race season, Parkes took a six-month break from racing, relaxing and riding trackwork. Returning in April 2023, he stated his goal of riding 1,000 winners.[11][12]
In May 2023, he recorded his 1,000th win aboard Fabian Hawk at Awapuni racecourse.[13] In doing so he became the 36th jockey from New Zealand to record 1,000 race wins.[14] Over a twenty-year racing career, he would start 8,245 times, winning 1,043 races.[1][12]
Parkes made his final race on 7 September 2024 at Hastings aboard Geriatrix.[1]
Parkes died on 18 October 2024, at the age of 35.[15]
Race record
edit| Season | Rides | Wins | 2nds | 3rds | Major wins | NZ Jockey Premiership Ranking | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024–2025 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 91
(at the time of his death October 2024) |
[16] | |
| 2023–2024 | 194 | 31 | 17 | 11 | 25 | [17] | |
| 2022–2023 | 86 | 19 | 7 | 7 | 43 | [18] | |
| 2021–2022 | 228 | 40 | 21 | 24 | Auckland Cup, 2022 New Zealand Derby | 17 | [19] |
| 2020–2021 | 389 | 48 | 44 | 30 | Karaka Million 2YO, Manawatu Sires Produce Stakes | 12 | [20] |
| 2019–2020 | 321 | 41 | 34 | 39 | Karaka Cup | 14 | [21] |
| 2018–2019 | 601 | 118 | 78 | 56 | New Zealand St. Leger, Castletown Stakes | 2 | [22][23][24] |
| 2017–2018 | 539 | 78 | 71 | 53 | Waikato Sprint, Auckland Cup, Livamol Classic | 7 | [25] |
| 2016–2017 | 551 | 87 | 60 | 47 | Railway Stakes, Waikato Sprint, Eulogy Stakes, Castletown Stakes | 5 | [26][27][28] |
| 2015–2016 | 610 | 60 | 63 | 69 | Arrowfield Stud Plate, Captain Cook Stakes | 14 | [29] |
| 2014–2015 | 623 | 102 | 73 | 80 | 3 | [30] | |
| 2013–2014 | 657 | 118 | 87 | 72 | Livamol Classic, New Zealand Oaks | 2 | [6] |
| 2012–2013 | 566 | 70 | 60 | 61 | 10 | [31] | |
| 2011–2012 | 507 | 52 | 52 | 54 | 20 | [32] |
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d "Johnathon Parkes Horse Jockey Profile – Stats, News, Runners". www.racingandsports.com.au. Retrieved 21 October 2024.
- ^ a b c "Vale Johnathan Parkes". loveracing.nz. Retrieved 21 October 2024.
- ^ a b "Leading New Zealand jockey Johnathan Parkes dies, aged 35". NZ Herald. 21 October 2024. Retrieved 21 October 2024.
- ^ a b "Racing: Parkes returns to race riding at Waverley". NZ Herald. 26 September 2019. Retrieved 21 October 2024.
- ^ "Parkes taking success in his stride". loveracing.nz. Retrieved 21 October 2024.
- ^ a b "Jockey Premiership This Season". www.racebase.co.nz. Retrieved 21 October 2024.
- ^ "Quality over quantity for ace rider Parkes". loveracing.nz. Retrieved 21 October 2024.
- ^ "I Wish I Win wins on debut". Te Aku Racing. 6 March 2021.
- ^ "Parkes excited for raceday return". loveracing.nz. Retrieved 21 October 2024.
- ^ "Asterix delivers Derby double for O'Sullivan and Scott". loveracing.nz. Retrieved 21 October 2024.
- ^ "Parkes takes aim at 1000-win mark". RACE Awapuni. Retrieved 21 October 2024.
- ^ a b "Johnathan Parkes / Jockey Profile / RaceInfo / LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz. Retrieved 21 October 2024.
- ^ "Emotional Parkes surpasses 1000 wins". loveracing.nz. Retrieved 21 October 2024.
- ^ May 2023, Barry Lichter • 21. "Parkes' 10 out of 10 ride on Fabian Hawk on a red letter day when he joined the 1000 club • Lincoln Farms". Lincoln Farms. Retrieved 21 October 2024.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "NZTR Acknowledge Passing of Johnathan Parkes". NZTR. Retrieved 21 October 2024.
- ^ "Jockey Premiership This Season". www.racebase.co.nz. Retrieved 21 October 2024.
- ^ "Jockey Premiership This Season". www.racebase.co.nz. Retrieved 21 October 2024.
- ^ "Jockey Premiership This Season". www.racebase.co.nz. Retrieved 21 October 2024.
- ^ "Jockey Premiership This Season". www.racebase.co.nz. Retrieved 21 October 2024.
- ^ "Jockey Premiership This Season". www.racebase.co.nz. Retrieved 21 October 2024.
- ^ "Jockey Premiership This Season". www.racebase.co.nz. Retrieved 21 October 2024.
- ^ "Jockey Premiership This Season". www.racebase.co.nz. Retrieved 21 October 2024.
- ^ "Windsor Park Stud | Horse Breeding | Horse Racing | Cambridge, New Zealand | Blockbuster result for Freshman Sire". www.windsorparkstud.co.nz. Retrieved 21 October 2024.
- ^ "London Express looks headed in the right direction". NZ Herald. 21 October 2024. Retrieved 21 October 2024.
- ^ "Jockey Premiership This Season". www.racebase.co.nz. Retrieved 21 October 2024.
- ^ "New Zealand Jockey Premiership 2016–17". www.racebase.co.nz. Retrieved 21 October 2024.
- ^ "Volpe Veloce shows her class in Castletown Stakes". www.stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 21 October 2024.
- ^ "Volpe Veloce remains unbeaten after Eulogy Stakes wi". 10 December 2016.
- ^ "Jockey Premiership This Season". www.racebase.co.nz. Retrieved 21 October 2024.
- ^ "Jockey Premiership This Season". www.racebase.co.nz. Retrieved 21 October 2024.
- ^ "Jockey Premiership This Season". www.racebase.co.nz. Retrieved 21 October 2024.
- ^ "Jockey Premiership This Season". www.racebase.co.nz. Retrieved 21 October 2024.
External links
edit- Johnathan Parkes at Loveracing.nz
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