Johnathan Parkes

Johnathan Parkes (1988 – 18 October 2024) was a New Zealand jockey. Over a two-decade racing career, Parkes rode over 1,000 winners who earned over $19 million AUD in prize money. Parkes had 62 black type wins, including 12 Group 1 races.

Life and career Parkes was from Whanganui. Parkes made his racing debut on 29 July 2004 aboard Harry D'akbar (NZ). He had his first win two days later on 31 July aboard Blissful Dancer (NZ). He first began riding for trainer Grant Searle in Horowhenua, later transferring to Paul Belsham to be closer to his hometown.

He later met trainer Fraser Auret who he would ride for over 600 times.

On 23 March 2012 at Waipukurau Parkes won all of the five races he rode in, including the Waipukurau Cup aboard Show The Beel.

In 2013, Parkes won his first Grade 1 race, the 2013 Spring Classic aboard Ransomed. After riding over 100 winners during the 2018–2019 race season, Parkes began to take on fewer rides, reportedly in an effort to preserve his mental and physical health after continually wasting to maintain riding weight.

In March 2021, he rode I Wish I Win in his debut race, a win at Awapuni. In May he broke his collarbone in a fall and had to take several weeks off of racing.

In 2022, he won the 2022 New Zealand Derby aboard Asterix. During the 2022 – 2023 race season, Parkes took a six-month break from racing, relaxing and riding trackwork. Returning in April 2023, he stated his goal of riding 1,000 winners.

In May 2023, he recorded his 1,000th win aboard Fabian Hawk at Awapuni racecourse. In doing so he became the 36th jockey from New Zealand to record 1,000 race wins. Over a twenty-year racing career, he would start 8,245 times, winning 1,043 races.

Race record

As at the time of death (October 2024)