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Larry Cassidy (jockey)

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Larry Cassidy
OccupationJockey
Born1970 (age 53–54)
Wellington, New Zealand
RelativesJimmy Cassidy (brother)

Larry Cassidy (born 1970) is an accomplished thoroughbred racing jockey who is notable for winning over 40 Group 1 races as well as three consecutive Sydney jockey premierships in 1998, 1999 and 2000.[1]

Cassidy's brother Jimmy Cassidy, who is seven years older than Larry, was an established jockey in New Zealand and then Australia who won the Melbourne Cup on Kiwi in 1983. Another brother, Ricky, was also a jockey.[2]

Cassidy also started his career in New Zealand, leaving his home aged 12 to do an apprenticeship with Brent Beattie at Palmerston North, and later Bruce Marsh at Woodville. After moving to Australia to ride and establishing himself as a senior jockey, Cassidy embarked on stints in Hong Kong, Macau and Singapore.[3] Returning to Australia, Cassidy moved to Brisbane and predominantly rode at Queensland racecourses such as Doomben, Eagle Farm and the Sunshine Coast. He was sometimes known as "Last Race Larry" for his happy habit of winning the last race of the day.[4]

His last race-day ride was on November 25 2023. In December 2024 Larry announced his retirement, stating: “After more than a year, two surgeries and numerous, painful physio sessions, I have made the difficult decision to retire,”[5]

Notable wins

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Some of Cassidy's major wins were:

Cassidy's resume also includes a win on the champion, Winx, in the Sunshine Coast Guineas on 16 May 2015. This was to be the first win of a 33-race unbeaten sequence for Winx, although the horse was ridden by Hugh Bowman and James McDonald (once) from then on.[8]

References

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  1. ^ "Larry Cassidy Horse Jockey Profile - Stats,News,Runners". www.racingandsports.com.
  2. ^ KIEZA, GRANTLEE (26 December 2015). "Cassidy happy as Larry to saddle up again".
  3. ^ "Cassidy still has fire in the belly in race to premiership". The Sydney Morning Herald. 20 May 2010.
  4. ^ "Racenet - Australia's Premier Horse Racing News, Form Guides & Tips". racenet.com.au.
  5. ^ https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/horse-racing/jockey-larry-cassidy-retires-after-40-group-1-wins-and-starting-winxs-winning-streak/news-story/bdc1f1a2ec00c85f81a89fb1104f0d03
  6. ^ "Yippyio Thoroughbred Horse Profile - Next Race, Form, Stats, News, Breeding | Racing and Sports".
  7. ^ https://www.thoroughbrednews.com.au/news/story/back-to-back-epsom-wins-for-desert-war-20302?section=Australia
  8. ^ "Jockey glad he brought Winx home".