Ruby: I could see O’Leary exit coming

RUBY WALSH was not surprised by the announcement from Michael O’Leary that he is to start winding down his Gigginstown Stud racing operation in Ireland. Gigginstown won 162 races in Britain and Ireland last season, including a third Grand National with Tiger Roll, but O’Leary, seven-time champion owner in Ireland, says a growing family means he has less time for racing. Walsh, writing in his Paddy Power blog, said: ‘I’m probably not as shocked as everyone else. There were signs there along the way. ‘Michael and his wife Anita have four kids who are growing up and the only one who appears to have interest in racing is Michael. They’ve won a lot but to have the amount of horses they have, you need to be in love and dedicated to racing 24/7.’