R.J. Walsh & Son is generally recognised as Australia's leading sulky manufacturer.Begun in 1961 by Reginald James Walsh, the father of current Managing Director Jim Walsh, R.J. Walsh & Son has grown to become the largest manufacturer of harness racing vehicles in the southern hemisphere. The recipient of numerous awards, the company's Regal sulkies have enjoyed outstanding racing success in Australia and abroad.
We have exported more of our product since 1967 than all eighteen other Australian sulky makers during that period, and we are the only Australian sulky manufacturer to have exported more than 50% of production in a single year.
1961 to the Present - Read about the life & times of R.J. Walsh & Son.
Available here are articles and papers on the science of sulkies and track design. Many are extensively illustrated with photographs and diagrams.
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Outstanding advance in sulky technology Statistics taken from a 10-race test series of the Walsh & Ireland sulky at Gloucester Park bears testimony to the maker’s claim that the new cart is faster, and safer than existing models. Uplift - Myth and Reality The particular purpose of this paper is to address a pernicious myth that has been put about by the ignorant, but possibly well-meaning, ever since the advent of the Weber high-uplift sulky in 1968. Not since the establishment of light harness racing in Australia in the mid 19th century, has the country seen such a plethora of innovation in sulky design as that which occurred in the last quarter of the 20th century. That period saw the introduction of the stainless steel race sulky, the first practical independent suspension light training sulky, the first dorsal-hitch pairs sulky, the first independent suspension chariot, the first single-shaft dorsal hitch sulky with both independent suspension and disc brakes, and an avalanche of world speed records unprecedented in the country's light harness history. This is the story of that period. The Physics of Light Harness Vehicles J.S. Walsh's presentation to the University of Western Sydney's Physics and Industry Open Day The health and welfare implications for horses and drivers of the Regal suspension sulky
This paper by Dr Alistair Lewis was orginally a reference supporting the inclusion of the Floating Link Suspension sulky in the Australian Technology Showcase (Quoted with permisson).
From the first crude attempts in the 1950s to today's Floating Link Suspension: an explanation of the benefits.
On Going Faster: Edgar Pickard's 1971 Auto-Balance Racing Sulky
A paper exploring the issue of sulky balance, originally published in 1987.
A review of What we know about Sulkies and Wheels, a paper presented at the 1987 World Trotting Conference
On the centuries-old struggle to push the envelope of light harness vehicle design. Some rare photos of world-record breaking pairs vehicles (four different designs).
On the Single Shaft Sulky, the Double Dip sulky, the Wishbone Sulky, the Crown Hitch, the "reinbow" and "arc" harness.
A paper by JS Walsh originally published in the 'Lab report' section of the June/July 1997issue of the Equine Athlete.
Original paper by Dr D. L. Evans of Sydney University School of Animal Science, and J. S. Walsh, published in the October 1997 issue of the Aust. Vet J. Reference by a sports injury specialist
An explanation of the effect driver weight has on a horse's performance in Harness Racing.
