Michael Walker made New Zealand racing history today by become the Kiwe jockey to ide his first 1000 winners in the fastst time.

Walker reached the 1000 win milestone on Te Akau Rose at Te Rapa, nine and a half years after he had his first race ride in July of 1999.

Walker has surpassed Lance O'Sullivan's 1000 win record by 13 months and 2 weeks.

O'Sullivan rode his 1000th winner in New Zealand 10 years and 7 months after his first ride. Walker has achieved the same milestone in 9 years, 5 months and 2 weeks.

The achievement comes only six weeks after he was granted clearance to resume riding following serious head injuries suffered when he fell over a bluff while hunting with two companions in May.

At the time of his accident Walker was New Zealand's leading jockey for the 2007/08 season with 173 winners and was on-course to break the most number of rides in a season in New Zealand.

His lead was maintained to the end of the season and he was voted 2008 Mercedes Jockey of the Year at the Mercedes Awards in August.

First Ride: 31 July 1999 Hoozier at Taumarunui (4th).

First Winner: 26 August 1999 Awesome Heights, at Waverley (13th ride)

1000th Winner: 15 January 2009 Te Akau Rose, at Te Rapa (6769th ride)

1000 Winners Record: 9 years, 5 months, 2 weeks, 1 day. (Previous record held by Lance O'Sullivan was 10 years, 7 months).

Group One Winners: 13

First Group One Winner: Smiling Like, Wellington Cup, 27 January 2001

Group and Listed Winners: 65