Racing world 'shattered' by sudden death of top jockey with more than 1,000 wins

Johnathan Parkes, 35, was 1 of the astir palmy riders successful New Zealand wherever his victories included 62 successful Black Type races of which 12 were astatine Group 1 level

Tributes person been paid to a apical jockey with much than 1,000 wins who died abruptly astatine the weekend.

Johnathan Parkes, 35, was 1 of the astir palmy riders successful New Zealand wherever helium registered a big of large contention wins, including 12 astatine Group 1 level.

Racing fans woke up connected Saturday greeting to perceive that Parkes, from Whanganui who rode for 22 years, had passed distant overnight. He had not ridden since September 7.

The quality was confirmed by New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing successful a statement.

“On behalf of the New Zealand Racing industry, NZTR is profoundly saddened to larn of the passing of highly respected jockey Johnathan Parkes overnight. Our thoughts are with Johnathan’s closest household and friends astatine this time.

“Johnathan was 1 of our best, riding implicit 1,000 winners successful New Zealand. Parkes won 62 achromatic benignant races including 12 Group 1s.

“Support volition beryllium provided to jockeys and different affected participants crossed the weekend's contention meetings.”

New Zealand’s starring owners Te Aka Racing posted a tribute which said: “This quality has shattered our hearts - ohio Parksey we truthful privation you knew that what you thought was not truthful large would ever get amended - you rode truthful often & truthful good for america & who tin hide your Karaka Million triumph for america with On The Bubbles - you told america you wanted caller teeth aft that - we volition truthful miss you , question successful peace.”

Parkes formed an aboriginal relationship with trainer Fraser Auret and unneurotic they combined to propulsion disconnected a fig of large contention wins.

“He was a champion connected the way and a champion disconnected the track,” Auret told NZTR. “It didn’t substance with Johnathan whether it was a Wednesday gathering astatine Waverley oregon a Group One contention astatine Wellington, helium ever gave it 110 percent and got the champion imaginable effect for the trainers and owners, and everyone associated with the horse. That is what I admired truthful overmuch astir him.

“He was an incredibly humble person, helium ne'er fto the occurrence spell to his head. He was a genuinely beauteous guy.”

The jockey’s cause Bevan Sweeney said: “Johnathan was a quiet, humble, respectful, benignant young antheral who kept to himself a lot. He was precise driven.

“At his highest helium was arsenic bully arsenic anyone successful the state successful large raceday riding and helium was precise hard to beat, helium was a precise beardown rider, and was precise competitive.

“The Derby triumph (aboard Asterix successful 2022) was a highlight, his archetypal Group One triumph with Ransomed (2013 Spring Classic, 2040m), and his thrust connected On The Bubbles to triumph the Karaka Million was 1 of the biggest, if not the biggest wins of his career.”