Minnesota horseman Jack Walsh, 86, passed away earlier this week. It is hard to quantify what Jack meant to the racing industry in Minnesota. He was an owner. A Breeder. An advocate. A mentor. A leader. A friend.
Raised on the East Side of St. Paul, he attended Cretin High School, the College of St. Thomas and then the William Mitchell College of Law.
“He definitely leaves very big shoes to fill,” said Dr. Scott Rake, President of the Minnesota HBPA. “He was a great mentor.”
Walsh was a Minnesota HBPA Board member for years and served as President after fellow legend Tom Metzen Sr. passed away until stepping aside for Rake this year. He also served on the Board of the Minnesota Thoroughbred Association.
Walsh was a consensus builder and a listener with the best interest of Minnesota racing at heart.
“I think the thing that I will remember most is his decorum,” said Rake. “We all have times we disagree with someone but he was always respectful.”
Walsh was a successful Quarter Horse breeder before moving to Thoroughbreds when Canterbury opened in 1985. As an attorney, Walsh represented horsemen before the Minnesota Racing Commission as well as lectured on equine law at the University of Wisconsin – River Falls for seventeen years.
“Jack had a successful breeding and racing operation that competed at Canterbury for as long as I remember,” said Canterbury Park President Randy Sampson. “However, Jack’s greatest contribution to Minnesota horse racing was his tireless representation and advocacy for horsemen, horsemen issues, and the Minnesota horse racing industry.”
Horses that Walsh bred all carried the moniker “Somerset”, a shout out to the town in Wisconsin that he called home. Nearly all were stamped by their sire, Walsh’s stallion Gazebo, as big, sturdy horses who won their share of races.
In honor of all his contributions to the Thoroughbred industry in Minnesota, Walsh was elected to the Canterbury Park Hall of Fame this summer. Unable to make the induction ceremonies after suffering a fall, Walsh was ably represented by his daughters who provided one of the most poignant moments of the night, overwhelmed with emotion at the honor bestowed upon their father.
“What those of us that had the pleasure to interact with Jack for these many years will remember him for the most was his charming and friendly personality that made him a joy to be around,” said Sampson. “Even when he was on the opposite side of an issue, Jack always treated everyone with dignity and respect. He was smart, tough and a true gentleman.”
