Ruby Walsh reveals his favorite race programs and why Punchestown has ‘good craic’
With a record of being one of the most successful jockeys ever, Ruby Walsh decided to retire at Punchestown seven years ago and has revealed which course has the best craic
Ruby Walsh has opened up about his love of Punchestown(Image: Humphrey Nemar)
Irish racing legend Ruby Walsh says there’s plenty of craic to pass around, as he says he has fond memories of racing in both the UK and Ireland.
Speaking on Paddy Power’s From the Horses Mouth podcast, he said: “I socially race at Ascot, which is great craic. I’ve been to York socially which is brilliant craic. But other than that, I tend to be working at the races! If I go racing in Ireland I just bring my kids so I wouldn’t be socialising.
To ride in – it doesn’t matter if it’s Ireland, England or France – it’s the quality of the racing. Obviously, Cheltenham has an amazing atmosphere in March and the March atmosphere is way better than the November one.
Punchestown will have a good atmosphere this week. The DRF (Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown) has a great atmosphere, so does Christmas. But Leopardstown in March doesn’t have a wonderful atmosphere because the racing is a lower standard and there’s not a crowd there.
“From standing in parade rings and maybe riding on tracks looking out at the crowd I think people seem to be having good craic in both places, so I wouldn’t think there’s a massive difference. But you could probably ask someone a little better qualified in that field than me!”
Ruby retired at his beloved Punchestown seven years ago on May 1 2019. The champ is widely regarded as one of the greatest National Hunt jockeys in history, finishing his 24-year career with 2,756 winners across meetings such as Cheltenham and Aintree Festivals.
But for Ruby, there’s no place like home.
“I always had it in my head that I would retire at Punchestown if I had the opportunity to retire and it wasn’t forced upon me.
“I decided that week I would retire after I rode a Grade 1 winner and that happened to be Kemboy, so I retired there and then! But Punchestown has been my local festival for years and I just love the place.”
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