Ruby Walsh

Ruby Walsh once again was top jump jockey last year at the Galway Festival, although this time he won by virtue of having won the most prize money as he had the same number of winners as Paddy Flood. Ruby of course is a legend, not just at Galway Festival but also internationally, he is many people's idea of the best jump jockey in the world. He has won the Irish Jump Jockey championship 6 times, he was the leading jockey at the Cheltenham Festival in 2004, 2006 and 2008, he won the Grand National on his first attempt on Papillon in 2000 and went on to win it again in 2005 on Hedgehunter. Ruby in fact is the only jockey still riding that has won all four home Grand Nationals and he can also boast 17 Cheltenham Festival winners. To date Ruby has ridden over 1000 winners. He is a certainty to be favourite in the Galway Festival 2009 betting jockey odds again this year and there will be many who back him using the Free Bet Offer to be so. Being one of the top jockey's around, it is obvious that Ruby will enjoy many of the plum rides, but a good Galway Festival Tip is to see what horses he rides for English trainer, Paul Nicholls. The two combined  brilliantly last year to win the Galway Plate on Oslot. Few people realise that Ruby was christened Rupert Walsh.