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HE’S the record-breaking jockey who’s battled back from injuries and is determined to smash even more racing wins.
And even the recent equine flu outbreak doesn’t faze Ruby Walsh’s positive attitude to the sport as he heads towards Cheltenham Festival as the all-time champion.
Racing was suspended for six days in the past week after the discovery of three cases of equine flu at leading National Hunt trainer Donald McCain’s Cheshire stable. Three further cases were later reported at his yard.
But top Irish jockey Ruby, 39, says the sport will battle back and move forward to be better than ever – just like he has with recent injury woes.
“Racing is all about looking forward and being the best you can be – that’s what we strive for,” he exclusively tells the Daily Star.
“I think people underestimated the measures we have in place anyway. We already adhere to the highest standards and try to be well guarded against things like this.
“I mean, why does flu happen in humans? People get flu and we don’t know why. I wish I did. If I understood why people got flu and how to stop it I’d be a lot richer than I am now, let me tell you. This isn’t just confined to horses.”
Racing resumed on Wednesday. But the major racing festivals Cheltenham and Aintree are both set to be staged with much stricter risk management rules from the British Horseracing Authority to prevent further spread of the flu.
The new regulations have attracted fierce criticism, with an unknown number of National Hunt horses due to be barred from racing unless they have received a “booster” vaccination in the past six months.
Aware
The two-time Grand National winner adds: “I don’t know what else could have been done, but as far as I know we have re-vaccinated all of the horses and there are measures moving forward.
“All race horses are vaccinated to the highest level anyway. Everyone in the racing community is always aware of things like this and we do everything we can to get on top of the issues out there which affect our horses.”
It’s very much business as usual for the all-time leading Cheltenham Festival jockey – number one jockey for champion Irish trainer Willie Mullins – who is itching to get back to his best after four consecutive falls in November when he returned from a period of injury.
He has next month’s Cheltenham Festival firmly in his sights after a record 58 wins and has won the leading rider’s award 11 times within the past 14 years.
But he says he still feels the pressure. Especially as people keep asking when he is set to hang up his riding hat. “It’s all about the horses,” “I like to be riding the favourite and to make sure I have the best chance try not to let other outside goings-o The only pressures I have are the o myself.
“But there are things that keep night. The run-up to Cheltenham important time of year.
“If you didn’t sleep a little less easy time then it would be a sign it didn’t to you. For me, it’s everything.”
Ruby has suffered more injuries t his glittering 20-year career incl broken legs and arms, a ruptured sp shoulder dislocations and more.
He had a horror fall and anoth broken leg on day two of last year’s Festival.
He returned last autumn ready t against all the odds. “When you’ you’re a hero. When you’re losin villain,” he says.
Emotions
“I’ve had more than my fair share judge the severity of them not on recovery time. My leg took three to to heal properly. The pain of dislocat than the breaks.
“But while the pain goes quickly hospital and they do what they do – part is always the amount of time y sidelines.
“It’s hard seeing races that you wa of. Your emotions are all over the p can be very up and down. That’s wh wanted to come back quickly, to better and then look forward, not ba
He adds: “I’ve always been well aw jump jockey, injuries are part of my part of the job. You will have falls. Bu get back on the bike.”
As for the constant questions abo ment, Ruby says it just makes him mined. He laughs: “As soon as you think you’re past it a you’ll be retiring. “I still have drea more races to win Cheltenham to be So just like bone I’ve many mo break yet!”
Ruby Wals Power amb read more, paddypower.c