Ross Doherty (30) had ridden almost 100 winners during his time in New Zealand, which began in 2008.
He rode 93 winners over seven seasons of riding, including 44 in the 2012-13 season.
Doherty came to New Zealand in 2008, and had stints working for Awapuni trainers Lisa Latta and Grant Searle in between trips home to Ireland. He had worked in Irish stables for about 10 years before moving to New Zealand.
He was apprenticed to - and worked for - Timaru trainer David Hutton for about 2 years, including during his break-out 2012-13 season. Doherty rode 22 winners for Hutton from July 2011 to February 2014.
His first winning ride over jumps came in the 2011 Great Western Steeplechase aboard Kakapuka. He recorded 16 wins over the obstacles.
Hutton said Doherty was like a member of the family during his time at their training property in Pleasant Point.
''He was just a really good horseman, and liked his jumpers. He won a lot of jumping races for us and he was good at schooling them,'' Hutton said.
''I was having a good talk to him the other day. He was a great young guy.''
Doherty moved to Invercargill last year and worked for Ascot Park trainer Sally McKay before going to work on a dairy farm in November.
He had been helping out McKay in recent weeks after he returned to race riding in May.
''I loved having him working for us. He's going to be very hard to replace,'' she said.
''He was an absolutely amazing horseman. He was a talent and great at helping other people with passing on his skills.''
McKay said Doherty's ''Irish'' personality came through around the stables.
''He was a wonderful guy to have around even if half the time I couldn't understand him.''
Other highlights during Doherty's career was a close second on Kidunot in the 2013 Great Northern Steeplechase.
Canterbury Jockey Club chief executive Tim Mills said black armbands will be worn on the first day of the Grand National Carnival at Riccarton on Saturday to remember Doherty and three other racing identities who died recently - owner-breeder Melba Murfitt, trainer Phil Andrews and commentator Jack O'Donnell.
A memorial service for Doherty will be held in the Grey Way Lounge at Phar Lap racecourse, Timaru, at 2pm on Thursday.
Senior Sergeant Craig Dinnissen, of Dunedin, confirmed a man's body was found at Wingatui Racecourse on Sunday morning. The death has been referred to the coroner.
