Walsh bows out in style at Punchestown

Script writers were left scratching their heads at Punchestown on Wednesday to come up with a suitable headline when jockey Ruby Walsh stunned all and sundry that he was retiring with immediate effect after he landed the Grade1 Punchestown Gold Cup aboard Kemboy.

For over two decades, Walsh has enthralled racegoers on both sides of the water with his bravery and horsemanship in what was a remarkable career that yielded every big race worth winning, not to mention twelve jockeys titles.

First jockey to the powerful Willie Mullins yard he also enjoyed considerable success when commuting to the famous English stable of Paul Nicholls. With 59 Cheltenham victories to his credit as well as being leading rider at the Cotswolds venue on 11 occasions, he holds a record that is never likely to be equalled never mind surpassed. While paying due homage to a true colossus we must pose the question will we ever see his likes again.