| Jim Cassidy | |
| Occupation: | Jockey |
| Birth Place: | Wellington, New Zealand |
| Birth Date: | 21 January 1963 |
| Race: | Melbourne Cup (1983, 1997) W. S. Cox Plate (1998) Caulfield Cup (1997, 2000) Golden Slipper Stakes (2001) |
| Honours: | Australian Racing Hall of Fame (2012) New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame (2014) |
| Horses: | Might and Power, Kiwi, Rough Habit, |
| Updated: | 2 March 2017 |
Jim Cassidy (born 21 January 1963), often referred to as "Jimmy" is a retired New Zealand jockey who has been inducted in both the Australian Racing Hall of Fame and the New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame.
Jim Cassidy was one of seven children of Arthur "Blue" and Francie Cassidy of Wellington, New Zealand. Cassidy initially rode in New Zealand with Pat Campbell in the Hawkes Bay,[1] having over 500 winners in his country of birth. He achieved even greater success in Australia.
Cassidy rode Kiwi from last into the straight to win the 1983 Melbourne Cup.[2] He won his second Melbourne Cup in 1997 aboard Might and Power and they also won the following year's Cox Plate.
Cassidy has won the Australian Derby three times; in 1990, 1993 and in 2009.
Cassidy is the third jockey to win 100 group one races, winning his 100th race aboard Zoustar in the Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on Saturday 2 November 2013.[3]
His older brother Ricki was an apprentice jockey to Trevor McKee and Larry V Cassidy, who is seven years younger than Jim, went on to be a Sydney Premiership winning jockey.[4] Larry also started riding in New Zealand before moving to Australia, winning three Sydney premierships and later embarking on stints in Hong Kong, Singapore and Macau. After returning to Australia, Larry continued his riding career in Queensland.
Jim Cassidy's daughter, Nicole, married Brisbane and Hong Kong champion jockey, Zac Purton.[5]
Cassidy released his autobiography titled "Pumper" through Macmillan Books in October 2016.[6]
The following are some of the races Jimmy won in New Zealand and Australia.
| Year | Race | Horse | Trainer(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980[7] | Stewards Handicap, Riccarton | Killjoy | J.N.J Healey, Richmond |
| 1981 | Brisbane Cup | Four Crowns | D Enright |
| 1981[8] | Wellesley Stakes, Trentham | Bisette | Trevor McKee |
| 1981 | Alice | Mrs J Hercock, Hastings | |
| 1983[9] | Snow Lupton, Waverley | ||
| 1983 | Snow Lupton, Waverley | ||
| 1983 | Burletta | F P Campbell, Hastings | |
| 1983 | Burletta | F P Campbell, Hastings | |
| 1984 | Vin D'Armour | J R Lynds, Woodville | |
| 1983/84 | Canterbury Gold Cup | Commissionaire | Noel D Eales, Awapuni |
| 1983/84 | Great Northern Breeders Oaks | Silver Elm | Noel D Eales, Awapuni |
| 1983/84 | Matamata Breeders Stakes | Vin D'Armour | J R Lynds, Woodville |
| 1983/84 | Burletta | F P Campbell, Hastings | |
| 1983/84 | Gold Trail Stakes | Burletta | F P Campbell, Hastings |
| 1984 | Commissionaire | Noel D Eales, Awapuni | |
| 1985 | Victoria Derby | Handy Proverb | Brian Mayfield-Smith |
| 1986 | Sydney Cup | Marooned | Brian Mayfield-Smith |
| 1990 | Dr Grace | Dr G Chapman | |
| 1991 | John Wheeler | ||
| 1992 | John Wheeler | ||
| 1992 | John Wheeler | ||
| 1992 | John Wheeler | ||
| 1993 | John Wheeler | ||
| 1993 | Innocent King | K A Jordan | |
| 1993 | John Wheeler | ||
| 1994 | Flitter | M Lees | |
| 1994 | John Wheeler | ||
| 1997 | |||
| 1997 | |||
| 1998 | |||
| 1998 | |||
| 2000 | Rosehill Guineas | Diatribe | George Hanlon |
| 2000 | Diatribe | George Hanlon | |
| 2001 | Ha Ha | ||
| 2009 | Vision and Power | Joseph Pride | |
| 2009 | Roman Emperor | ||
| 2012 | Doomben 10,000 | Sea Siren | John O’Shea |
| 2013 | Coolmore Stud Stakes | ||
| 2013 | Golden Rose Stakes | ||
| 2015 | Dissident[10] | Peter Moody | |