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Winning double a timely boost for Parker
Jess de Lautour, LOVERACING.NZ News Desk • August 16th, 2026 6:06 pm
Joshua Parker with Barry Beatson after The Belvoir's win at Woodville on Sunday | Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images)
Jumps jockey Joshua Parker put a tough start to his jumping season behind him with a winning double at Woodville on Sunday.
The talented Englishman won New Zealand’s Jumps Jockey Premiership in 2024/25 and had a string of feature wins to his name last year, and looked set for another run of success this term with several key rides including champion jumper West Coast.
Devastatingly, West Coast was injured when falling in the Waikato Steeplechase (3900m) in June and was humanely euthanised, while Parker also sustained a shoulder injury and was off the scene for over two months.
In his awaited return, Parker had a ride in all four of the jumping races at Woodville and wasted no time getting on the board, winning the opener aboard Pinkerton, before taking following race on The Belvoir.
“The last time I rode on race day was on West Coast, which was a really hard day,” Parker said.
“That’s why when we have days like today, we really have to make the most of them and enjoy it.”
Prepared by Mark Oulaghan, Pinkerton was well-fancied in the market at his second hurdling start after finishing second to Leprekhan at Trentham in early June. Parker rode a patient race on the son of Niagara, settling in the second half of the field before cruising into contention on the home turn and kicking away in the closing stages.
It was a similar story for Parker aboard The Belvoir, who contested a strong field in the One Eye Ota (3000m) including favoured runners Billy Boy, Yolo and Weneedashock. The former set a hot tempo alongside a keen Semper Magico, and when the pair faded at the 600m, The Belvoir and The Republican loomed into contention.
Both jumped well in the home straight, but it was the Barry Beatson-trained gelding who got the upper hand late to score by a long neck.
“I’ve had great people supporting me and both Mark and Barry were ringing me over the time I was out, checking in to see how I was going,” Parker said. “It was great to get on the board and pick up a winner for both today.
“Pinkerton is a smart horse, he’s got a lot of flat ability and the first time I rode him, I probably just got to work on him a little bit early. Today, I just sat for a bit longer and he’s finished off nicely.
“The Belvoir jumped well,he’s a true gentleman that will do what you ask of him. They went quite hard in front, but he just relaxed beautifully, stuck to the nice patch of grass on the rail and when leaders came back, he stayed on strongly.
“I think Mark may be targeting the 0-1 Hurdle at Te Aroha, and Barry I would imagine would look at the Pakuranga Hurdle - they both should be a nice chance at their next start.
“Hey Hey Hey ran a nice race today as well for third (in the David Oliver Memorial, 4000m), Wayne (Moorehead, trainer) said that if you keep asking, he’ll keep giving, and he did.”
While delighted to be back in the winner’s circle, it came a little later than Parker had envisioned when missing the Grand National Carnival earlier this month.
“I really needed this result today, I was pretty down after my injury and missing Christchurch,” he said. “I’ve had a bit going on behind the scenes as well, so mentally, it’s great and I’m happy to be back in the swing of things.
“I couldn’t have an operation for two weeks after I was injured, which was frustrating, that set me back a bit further. I’ve just been pottering around, watching races and wishing I was there.
“I’ve been back riding trackwork for Dean Wiles, Sam Logan and my regular job at Debbie Sweeney’s, they gave me some nice horses to ride to build up my strength and confidence again.
“It was unfortunate to miss the Grand National, I did have a full book of rides, but I had ring the trainers on the Monday morning and let them know I wasn’t physically strong enough. It wasn't fair on the trainers, the horses and the owners if I wasn’t able to give 100%.
“It’s nice that today, it shows that the hard work can be rewarded.”
