Jockey Katie quits racing on winning note

DUBLIN: Trailblazing Irish jockey Katie Walsh, who came closest to becoming the first woman to ride a Grand National winner, has retired.The 33-year-old — third on Seabass in the world’s most famous steeplechase in 2012 — bowed out in the best possible way with a fine win at Irish national hunt racing’s premier festival Punchestown. Despite still being at the top of her game — which down the years has seen her win an Irish National on Thunder and Roses and three winners at the Cheltenham Festival — Walsh felt she had achieved all she could. “I’ve had a marvellous career and I’ve unbelievable memories. The next chapter in life begins now,” she said. “I said to myself that I’d retire whenever I rode my next winner, whether it be here at Punchestown or wherever.“I’d be the first one sitting at home saying: ‘When is she going to be hanging up her boots?’”Walsh hails from a legendary Irish racing family with father Ted and brother Ruby combining as trainer and jockey respectively to win the 2000 Grand National on Papillon. She was heavily backed to win this year’s National on Baie Des Iles trained by her husband Ross O’Sullivan.However, the grey never really fired and came in last of the 12 finishers. Walsh, who was given a guard of honour by her fellow jockeys as she made her way back to the weighing room after her final victory on Friday, said she had been blessed with the career she had had. “I wanted to ride in a National for Ross and did that, and have ridden winners in France, Australia, England and Ireland and was very lucky throughout my career,” she said.“I’ve had the backing of dad and Ross, and wouldn’t have ridden half these winners without the backing of Willie (Mullins). “Everyone is here, my husband Ross and my family. I couldn’t have picked a better place.” Mullins too had a festival to remember as having begun the week trailing Gordon Elliott by almost 500,000 euros ($607,000) in the trainer’s championship he overhauled him to secure the title. However, a six-timer on the Wednesday and big wins for Footpad and Faugheen allied to Elliott’s hurdling star Samcro falling in Friday’s Champion Hurdle saw Mullins turn the tables completely and with a lead of over half a million euros himself he will be handed the trophy for the 12th time later on Saturday at Punchestown.

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