Jimmy “Pumper” Cassidy

Jimmy “Pumper” Cassidy's Biography

Jim Cassidy put an end to his wonderful career, fittingly, on the last day of the 2015 Melbourne Spring Carnival. He now wants to share the next chapter of his amazing life – the colourful stories, the larrikins, the laughs.

In a stellar 38-year career, ‘The Pumper’ won 104 Group 1 races, including two Melbourne Cups – the first in 1983 on Kiwi, a $1000 farm horse, where Cassidy came from dead-last to win; the second a famous redemption ride on Might and Power in 1997. A sublime talent in the saddle, a larger than life character out of it, and a champion bloke to boot – a rare combination that catapulted Jim Cassidy to become not only one of the greatest jockeys of all time, but one of the most popular sportsmen of his era.

An exeptional riding career saw Cassidy claim 104 Group One wins, inducted into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame in 2012 and the New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame in 2014. Career highlights include 2 Melbourne Cups, 2 Caulfield Cups a Cox Plate a Golden Slipper, 6 Derbies and 6 Oaks.

Brilliance in the saddle and bald-faced cheek in the press made Cassidy the Australian racetrack’s most beloved and controversial character. His horse whispering gifts, gambler’s charm and maverick wit always made him a favourite with the punters, trainers and journalists…but rarely officialdom.

Cassidy’s fast life and uncensored opinions led to his exile after the Jockey Tapes scandal in the ’90s. Broke but never broken, he fought back. And even when he was back page and front page news, Cassidy’s popularity never waned. As he’d quip in victory, ‘Ring-a-ding-ding, Pumper’s the king!’

‘Pumper’ tells all from his lifetime in the racing industry; travelling around this great country and sharing a beer or two with the people that supported him throughout his career – the racing fans.

If you’re a follower of the sport, or just a lover of a great yarn, you now have the opportunity for one of the greatest jockeys who has ever lived to join you and speak at your event, function or conference.  You’d certainly be in the company of one of the most beloved figures of modern Australian sport – Jim Cassidy!

Speaking Topics Include

‘Pumper’ – The highs and lows of my career on and off the track

‘Pumper the King and his brilliant career’