Ruby Walsh

Born: May 14, 1979
Nationality: Irish
Height: 5ft 10ins
Riding Weight: 10st
Regular jockey for: Paul Nicholls

Racing Background

* Ruby (short for Rupert), inherited his name from his grandfather, Rupert Walsh, who was the first of the Walsh family to set up a racehorse-training yard.
* It was from the same premises (near Dublin), that Ruby’s father, Ted Walsh, became a highly successful amateur jockey.
* As a trainer, Ted has also been successful, his best triumph being the day Papillon won the 2000 John Smith’s Grand National, ridden by his son, Ruby.
* Ruby was champion conditional jockey for the 1997/98 season, during which he won the William Hill Handicap Hurdle, at Sandown, as well as the Weatherbys Champion Bumper, at the Cheltenham Festival.
* One horse Ruby has very fond memories of is Papillon, who he considers to be one of the best he has ever ridden. The horse landed a huge public gamble in the 2000 John Smith’s Grand National, and became an instant favourite with punters.
* Another of his great achievements was when he won the 2004 Queen Mother Champion Chase with Azertyuiop, having also partnered the horse to win the Irish Independent Arkle Challenge Trophy at the Cheltenham Festival twelve months earlier.
* After his success on Azertyuiop, Ruby landed two more winners at the 2004 Cheltenham Festival, safely securing his position as the Festival’s top jockey and collecting the Daily Telegraph Leading Rider award.
* Obviously Ruby is now most recognised for his partnership with the brilliant Kauto Star, winner of the 2007 totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup and the 2006/7 Order of Merit.
* Two of the best rides Ruby has given a horse would be between when winning the Weatherbys Champion Bumper at the 1998 Cheltenham Festival on Alexander Banquet, and winning the 2000 John Smith’s Grand National, on Papillon.
* Ruby has broken both his legs, his wrist and his hip whilst race-riding.

Other Hobbies and Interests

* He enjoys playing other sports, including rugby, soccer and golf, and is a Manchester United FC supporter.
* Ruby’s star sign is Taurus.
* His favourite film is ‘Braveheart’.
* If Ruby were not a jump jockey, he would like to be a professional footballer.
* Ruby has plenty of bad habits, but his temper is probably the worst of all!

Ruby’s Cheltenham Festival winners

1998 Champion Bumper Alexander Banquet
2002 Mildmay of Flete Handicap Chase Blowing Wind
2003 Arkle Challenge Trophy Azertyuiop
2004 Queen Mother Champion Chase Azertyuiop
2004 Grand Annual Handicap Chase St Pirran
2004 County Hurdle Sporazene
2005 Champion Bumper Missed That
2005 Daily Telegraph Chase Thisthatandtother
2006 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle Noland
2006 William Hill Trophy Handicap Chase Dun Doire
2006 County Hurdle Desert Quest
2007 Royal & SunAlliance Chase Denman
2007 Ryanair Chase Taranis
2007 Cheltenham Gold Cup Kauto Star
2008 Queen Mother Champion Chase Master Minded
2008 Ballymore Properties Novices’ Hurdle Fiveforthree
2008 Triumph Hurdle Celestial Halo

He was leading jockey at the Festival in 2004, 2006 and 2008.