Ruby Walsh
Arguably the greatest of all jump jockeys, Rupert Edward (Ruby) Walsh was born on May 14, 1979, the son of trainer and former top amateur rider Ted Walsh.
Arguably the greatest of all jump jockeys, Rupert Edward (Ruby) Walsh was born on May 14, 1979, the son of trainer and former top amateur rider Ted Walsh.
Ruby, born in Kill, County Kildare, started out as an amateur rider with his father and also rode for Willie Mullins and Enda Bolger. He had his first mount on Wild Irish, who finished fifth in a Leopardstown bumper on May 17, 1995. He rode his first winner two months later, aboard Siren Song (below), trained by Ted Walsh, in a bumper at Gowran Park on July 15, 1995.
Ruby, born in Kill, County Kildare, started out as an amateur rider with his father and also rode for Willie Mullins and Enda Bolger. He had his first mount on Wild Irish, who finished fifth in a Leopardstown bumper on May 17, 1995. He rode his first winner two months later, aboard Siren Song (below), trained by Ted Walsh, in a bumper at Gowran Park on July 15, 1995.
His first winner over obstacles came on Katiymann in a hurdle race at Leopardstown on May 22, 1996. He achieved his first big race success on Garalyba in the 1996 GPT Galway Handicap, a high-profile amateur riders’ Flat race traditionally run on the opening day of the Galway Festival. He was champion amateur in Ireland in both 1996-97 and 1997-98.
His first winner over obstacles came on Katiymann in a hurdle race at Leopardstown on May 22, 1996. He achieved his first big race success on Garalyba in the 1996 GPT Galway Handicap, a high-profile amateur riders’ Flat race traditionally run on the opening day of the Galway Festival. He was champion amateur in Ireland in both 1996-97 and 1997-98.
Ruby’s first winner in Britain came on Major Jamie in the 1997 William Hill Hurdle at Sandown. He registered his first Cheltenham Festival victory on Alexander Banquet in the 1998 Champion Bumper. His first Grade 1 win over fences came on Imperial Call in the 1999 Punchestown Gold Cup, by which time he had turned professional.
Ruby’s first winner in Britain came on Major Jamie in the 1997 William Hill Hurdle at Sandown. He registered his first Cheltenham Festival victory on Alexander Banquet in the 1998 Champion Bumper. His first Grade 1 win over fences came on Imperial Call in the 1999 Punchestown Gold Cup, by which time he had turned professional.
He won the 2000 Grand National on Papillon, trained by his father. He won it for a second time on Hedgehunter in 2005.
He won the 2000 Grand National on Papillon, trained by his father. He won it for a second time on Hedgehunter in 2005.
His association with top Irish trainer Willie Mullins and Britain’s champion Paul Nicholls enabled Ruby to ride a record 59 winners at the Cheltenham Festival. They included two Cheltenham Gold Cups on Kauto Star (2007, 2009); four Champion Hurdle victories on Hurricane Fly (2011 and 2013), Faugheen (2015) and Annie Power (2016); three Queen Mother Champion Chases on Azertyuiop (2004) and Master Minded (2008, 2009); the Ryanair Chase four times on Thisthatandtother (2005), Taranis (2007), Vatour (2016) and Un De Sceaux (2017); and a record five World/Stayers Hurdles, four of those being achieved on Big Buck’s (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012), the other on Nichols Canyon (2017).
His association with top Irish trainer Willie Mullins and Britain’s champion Paul Nicholls enabled Ruby to ride a record 59 winners at the Cheltenham Festival. They included two Cheltenham Gold Cups on Kauto Star (2007, 2009); four Champion Hurdle victories on Hurricane Fly (2011 and 2013), Faugheen (2015) and Annie Power (2016); three Queen Mother Champion Chases on Azertyuiop (2004) and Master Minded (2008, 2009); the Ryanair Chase four times on Thisthatandtother (2005), Taranis (2007), Vatour (2016) and Un De Sceaux (2017); and a record five World/Stayers Hurdles, four of those being achieved on Big Buck’s (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012), the other on Nichols Canyon (2017).
He rode Big Buck’s to win 16 consecutive races between 2009 and 2012. They included the Liverpool Hurdle four years running (2009-2012) and Ascot’s Grade 1 Long Walk Hurdle in 2009 and 2011
He rode Big Buck’s to win 16 consecutive races between 2009 and 2012. They included the Liverpool Hurdle four years running (2009-2012) and Ascot’s Grade 1 Long Walk Hurdle in 2009 and 2011
He was leading jockey at Cheltenham a record eleven times, winning a record seven races in 2009 and 2016, and created another Festival record when riding Quevega to win the Grade 2 Mares’ Hurdle six years in succession between 2009 and 2014.
He was leading jockey at Cheltenham a record eleven times, winning a record seven races in 2009 and 2016, and created another Festival record when riding Quevega to win the Grade 2 Mares’ Hurdle six years in succession between 2009 and 2014.
His other notable Cheltenham Festival winners included Azertyuiop (2003 Arkle Chase), Denman (2007 Royal & SunAlliance Chase), Celestial Halo (2008 Triumph Hurdle), Vatour (2014 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, 2015 JLT Novices’ Chase), Faugheen (2014 Neptune Investment Novices’ Hurdle), Douvan (2015 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, 2016 Arkle Chase), Un De Sceaux (2015 Arkle Chase), Yorkhill (2016 Neptune Investment Novices’ Hurdle, 2017 JLT Novices Chase), Footpad (2018 Arkle Chase) and Klassical Dream (2019 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle).
His other notable Cheltenham Festival winners included Azertyuiop (2003 Arkle Chase), Denman (2007 Royal & SunAlliance Chase), Celestial Halo (2008 Triumph Hurdle), Vatour (2014 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, 2015 JLT Novices’ Chase), Faugheen (2014 Neptune Investment Novices’ Hurdle), Douvan (2015 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, 2016 Arkle Chase), Un De Sceaux (2015 Arkle Chase), Yorkhill (2016 Neptune Investment Novices’ Hurdle, 2017 JLT Novices Chase), Footpad (2018 Arkle Chase) and Klassical Dream (2019 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle).
He rode four of the greatest British jumpers in the history of the sport – Kauto Star, Denman, Master Minded and Big Buck’s. Of those, the best judged by ratings alone was Kauto Star, on whom he won the King George VI Chase a record five times, in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2011, in addition to his Two Cheltenham Gold Cup triumphs. He also rode Kauto Star to win Haydock’s Grade 1 Betfair Chase three times (2006, 2009, 2011). Ruby won the Betfair Chase again in 2012, this time on Silviniaco Conti.
He rode four of the greatest British jumpers in the history of the sport – Kauto Star, Denman, Master Minded and Big Buck’s. Of those, the best judged by ratings alone was Kauto Star, on whom he won the King George VI Chase a record five times, in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2011, in addition to his Two Cheltenham Gold Cup triumphs. He also rode Kauto Star to win Haydock’s Grade 1 Betfair Chase three times (2006, 2009, 2011). Ruby won the Betfair Chase again in 2012, this time on Silviniaco Conti.
His other major British successes included Aintree’s Totesport/Betway Bowl on What A Friend in 2010 and Kemboy in 2019; the Melling Chase three times on Fadalko (2001), Master Minded (2011) and Min (2019); Sandown’s Tingle Creek Chase four times on Cenkos (2002), Kauto Star (2006), Twist Magic (2009) and Un De Sceaux (2016); the Hennessy Gold Cup twice on Strong Flow (2003) and Denman (2009); and the Aintree Hurdle five times on Ilnamar (2002), Sacundal (2003), Asian Maze (2006), Zarkandar (2013) and Annie Power (2016).
His other major British successes included Aintree’s Totesport/Betway Bowl on What A Friend in 2010 and Kemboy in 2019; the Melling Chase three times on Fadalko (2001), Master Minded (2011) and Min (2019); Sandown’s Tingle Creek Chase four times on Cenkos (2002), Kauto Star (2006), Twist Magic (2009) and Un De Sceaux (2016); the Hennessy Gold Cup twice on Strong Flow (2003) and Denman (2009); and the Aintree Hurdle five times on Ilnamar (2002), Sacundal (2003), Asian Maze (2006), Zarkandar (2013) and Annie Power (2016).
He was champion jump jockey in Ireland a record 12 times: 1998-99, 2000-01, 2004-05, 2005-06, 2006-07, 2007-08, 2008-09, 2009-10, 2013-14, 2014-15, 2015-16 and 2016-17. His most successful seasons in Ireland were 2007-08 and 2016-17, recording 131 winners in both campaigns.
He was champion jump jockey in Ireland a record 12 times: 1998-99, 2000-01, 2004-05, 2005-06, 2006-07, 2007-08, 2008-09, 2009-10, 2013-14, 2014-15, 2015-16 and 2016-17. His most successful seasons in Ireland were 2007-08 and 2016-17, recording 131 winners in both campaigns.
His list of big race wins in Ireland include:
His list of big race wins in Ireland include:
Irish Grand National: Commanche Court (2000), Numbersixvalverde (2005), Burrows Saint (2019).
Irish Grand National: Commanche Court (2000), Numbersixvalverde (2005), Burrows Saint (2019).
Irish Gold Cup (Leopardstown): Neptune Collonges (2009), Quel Esprit (2012), Bellshill (2019).
Irish Gold Cup (Leopardstown): Neptune Collonges (2009), Quel Esprit (2012), Bellshill (2019).
Irish Champion Hurdle (Leopardstown): Brave Inca (2009), Hurricane Fly (2012, 2013, 2014, 2015), Faugheen (2016).
Irish Champion Hurdle (Leopardstown): Brave Inca (2009), Hurricane Fly (2012, 2013, 2014, 2015), Faugheen (2016).
Punchestown Gold Cup: Imperial Call (1999), Commanche Court (2000), Neptune Collonges (2007), Boston Bob (2014), Kemboy (2019).
Punchestown Gold Cup: Imperial Call (1999), Commanche Court (2000), Neptune Collonges (2007), Boston Bob (2014), Kemboy (2019).
Punchestown Champion Chase: Twist Magic (2008), Master Minded (2009).
Punchestown Champion Chase: Twist Magic (2008), Master Minded (2009).
Punchestown Champion Hurdle: Davenport Millennium (2002), Hurricane Fly (2011, 2012, 2013), Faugheen (2015), Vroum Vroum Mag (2016).
Punchestown Champion Hurdle: Davenport Millennium (2002), Hurricane Fly (2011, 2012, 2013), Faugheen (2015), Vroum Vroum Mag (2016).
Champion Stayers/World Series Hurdle (Punchestown): Asian Maze (2006), Fiveforthree (2009), Quevega (2011, 2012, 2013).
Champion Stayers/World Series Hurdle (Punchestown): Asian Maze (2006), Fiveforthree (2009), Quevega (2011, 2012, 2013).
Mares Champion Hurdle (Punchestown): Annie Power (2014, 2015).
Mares Champion Hurdle (Punchestown): Annie Power (2014, 2015).
Ericsson/Lexus Chase: Rince Ri (2000), Denman (2007), Tidal Bay (2012).
Ericsson/Lexus Chase: Rince Ri (2000), Denman (2007), Tidal Bay (2012).
He won 18 races on Hurricane Fly, 16 of them at Grade 1 level, including four Irish Champion Hurdles, three Punchestown Champion Hurdles and two Champion Hurdles at Cheltenham. It was a world record for the number of Grade 1 or Group1wins by any racehorse until overtaken by the Australian mare Winx in 2019.
He won 18 races on Hurricane Fly, 16 of them at Grade 1 level, including four Irish Champion Hurdles, three Punchestown Champion Hurdles and two Champion Hurdles at Cheltenham. It was a world record for the number of Grade 1 or Group1wins by any racehorse until overtaken by the Australian mare Winx in 2019.
Based on earnings, Ruby was leading jockey on prize-money in Britain in 2006-07, 2007-08 and 2008-09. Numerically, his most successful season in Britain was 81 winners in 2004-05. His best combined score of winners in Britain and Ireland was 200 in 2006-07 and 2007-08.
Based on earnings, Ruby was leading jockey on prize-money in Britain in 2006-07, 2007-08 and 2008-09. Numerically, his most successful season in Britain was 81 winners in 2004-05. His best combined score of winners in Britain and Ireland was 200 in 2006-07 and 2007-08.
Internationally, he achieved his most valuable victory in Japan, with a winner’s prize £456, 162, on Blackstairmountain in the 2013 Nakayama Grand Jump. He also won the Grande Course de Haies d’Auteuil (French Champion Hurdle) twice on Thousand Stars in 2011 and 2012, the Australian Grand National on Bashboy in 2015, and, in America, the Grand National Hurdle at Far Hills, New Jersey on Rawnaq in 2016.
Internationally, he achieved his most valuable victory in Japan, with a winner’s prize £456, 162, on Blackstairmountain in the 2013 Nakayama Grand Jump. He also won the Grande Course de Haies d’Auteuil (French Champion Hurdle) twice on Thousand Stars in 2011 and 2012, the Australian Grand National on Bashboy in 2015, and, in America, the Grand National Hurdle at Far Hills, New Jersey on Rawnaq in 2016.
He announced his retirement immediately after winning the Punchestown Gold Cup on Kemboy on May 1, 2019. That victory took his total of winners over jumps in Britain and Ireland to 2,756 (1,980 in Ireland, 776 in Britain). He is the winning-most jockey of all time in Ireland, having eclipsed the previous record of 1,188 set by Charlie Swan between 1985 and 2003. However, Swan still holds the Irish record for the number of winners in a single season, with 148 in 1995-96.
He announced his retirement immediately after winning the Punchestown Gold Cup on Kemboy on May 1, 2019. That victory took his total of winners over jumps in Britain and Ireland to 2,756 (1,980 in Ireland, 776 in Britain). He is the winning-most jockey of all time in Ireland, having eclipsed the previous record of 1,188 set by Charlie Swan between 1985 and 2003. However, Swan still holds the Irish record for the number of winners in a single season, with 148 in 1995-96.
While discussions about who was the greatest jump jockey of all time can never be resolved definitively, Ruby Walsh must rate among the very best there has ever been.
While discussions about who was the greatest jump jockey of all time can never be resolved definitively, Ruby Walsh must rate among the very best there has ever been.
Ruby's name came from his grandfather, who was also christened Rupert Edward Walsh. He was born two days after the feast of St Rupert, and over time Rupert was shortened to Ruby.
Ruby's name came from his grandfather, who was also christened Rupert Edward Walsh. He was born two days after the feast of St Rupert, and over time Rupert was shortened to Ruby.
Ruby's first ride - Wild Irish, May 17 1995, Leopardstown
Ruby's first ride - Wild Irish, May 17 1995, Leopardstown
Ruby's first winner - Siren Song, July 15, 1995, Gowran Park
Ruby's first winner - Siren Song, July 15, 1995, Gowran Park
Ruby's first winner over the jumps - Katiymann, May 22 1996, Leopardstown
Ruby's first winner over the jumps - Katiymann, May 22 1996, Leopardstown
Ruby's first big winner - Garalyba, July 29 1996, Galway
Ruby's first big winner - Garalyba, July 29 1996, Galway
Ruby's first big winner in England - Major Jamie, December 6 1997, Sandown
Ruby's first big winner in England - Major Jamie, December 6 1997, Sandown