Record breaking jockey Ruby Walsh is ready to blast off at Ballybrit next week as he makes his return from injury at the Galway Races following a lay-off of over four months.
The Paddy Power racing ambassador broke his leg in a crushing fall from Al Boum Photo on day two at the Cheltenham Festival last March – having only just returned to racing following a previous break just six days prior.
But speaking at a media event in Paddy Power HQ in Dublin today, Ruby indicated he can’t wait to get back to what he does best.
Find the latest odds from the Galway Races over at paddypower.com
“There’s a big difference between butterflies of excitement and feeling nervous because of fear. So I’m excited, not nervous,” he explained.
As he reflected on his long spell of rehabilitation, he confessed: ”I wouldn’t admit that it was properly broken again. I kept trying to tell myself I had just aggravated the previous injury, but it was broken. It was always going to take that long, I just didn’t want to believe it.”
He continued: “Win, lose or fall, that’s the reality of the game. It’s goes with the territory. But I believe that with bad luck comes good luck, and I think I’m due a turn.”
A spokesperson for Paddy Power added: “We’re thrilled to see Ruby back in the saddle, although we’d never admit that to his face. I’m sure our delight will be short-lived anyway, because we’ll probably be back to cursing him by the end of next week if he hits us hard at the Galway Races.”
With Ruby forming one half of a seemingly unstoppable tag team between himself and Willie Mullins, the pair are currently available at odds of 6/4 to seize the title of Top Trainer and Top Jump Jockey at the seven-day festival, which kicks off this Monday.
Head over to paddypower.com for the latest betting on the Galway Races