Ruby Walsh retires: Irish jockey announces retirement with immediate effect after thrilling win on Kemboy in Punchestown Gold Cup

RUBY WALSH has announced his retirement with immediate effect.

The Irish jockey – widely considered one of the best of all time – made the call after his win on Kemboy in the Punchestown Gold Cup.

When the 39-year-old entered the winners’ enclosure and pointed at his father, Ted Walsh, in floods of tears, the writing was seemingly on the wall.

The news was soon confirmed and an emotional Walsh was greeted by his young family.

Bowing out at the top is not something all sportsmen get to do and a proud Walsh reflected on his remarkable career.

Breaking the news, he said: “That’s me, I’m never riding a horse again.”

Walsh was Irish Champion Jockey a stunning twelve times, rode over 2500 winners, mainly for Willie Mullins and Paul Nicholls, and goes out having the most Cheltenham Festival successes to his name than any other in history.

He will be remembered for his rides on the likes of Kauto Star, Denman, Hurricane Fly and more recently the likes of Douvan and Faugheen.

Walsh said: “I’ve been so lucky from Day 1 to ride so many incredible horses.

“I never dreamt I’d get the chance to ride the equine superstars I have. The horses are such a huge part of it.

“I rode all the best horses in anyones lifetime.

Everyone gets their fair share of injuries. I was on the higher end of things but that’s racing.

“It was always about the big day, to me, being honest if Rathvinden had won the Irish Grand National I would have gone then.

“I spoke to Gillian about it a while ago to you to be honest.”

Willie Mullins said: “Ruby was fantastic there, I’m delighted for him.

“The R word is never discussed in our house for people or horses.

“Ruby just got off him and said ‘can you find someone for Livelovelaugh?’ and I was thinking is he lame, concussed or dehydrated, but he said ‘I’m out of here’ and the penny dropped.

“What more can you say? I just shook his hand. It was totally out of the blue for me as well – we’d never discussed it. I had no idea.

“It’s the end of an era. What a career he’s had with me and Paul Nicholls, what a career. It will be strange without him.

“He was just a natural, he rode them naturally, from the first time I put him up on a difficult filly in a 24 runner bumper.”