Ruby Walsh has stunned the racing world by announcing his retirement with immediate effect after his win on Kemboy in the Punchestown Gold Cup on Wednesday, bringing the curtain down on a superb career spanning 24 years.
Walsh, 39, the second child and elder son of trainer and former champion amateur jockey Ted and his wife Helen, has been largely associated with racing powerhouses Willie Mullins and Paul Nicholls throughout his career and in the limelight for more than two decades since his first win in July 1995.
He will forever be associated with legends like Hurricane Fly and Kauto Star and is widely considered as the greatest jumps jockey that ever lived.
Willie Mullins says he was as shocked as anyone when Ruby made the announcement.