A winning ride upon Antey at the Punchestown festival, and Katie Walsh announced her retirement from the saddle.
.@katiewalsh9 and Antey take the SalesSense International Novice Hurdle for @WillieMullinsNH, immediately afterwards Katie announced that she would be retiring from the saddle 🐎 pic.twitter.com/kBAIghkuiR
— Horse Racing Ireland (@HRIRacing) April 27, 2018
The 34-year-old received a warm round of applause from her colleagues as she made her way to the weigh room subsequent to making her decision public.
.@katiewalsh9 , what a jockey, what a career! She received great applause from her colleagues as she returned to The Weigh Room for one last time ? pic.twitter.com/StxzRiWaR3
— Horse Racing Ireland (@GoRacing) April 27, 2018
Speaking after her final race, Walsh revealed that retiring had "been on my mind for a while," and that she is looking forward to moving onto the next chapter of her life:
I wanted to go out on a winner, whether it be here or wherever it may be, and I just said when I rode the next winner that would be it.
To ride it for Willie [Mullins] makes it extra special.
[It has] been a marvelous career, nothing but unbelievable memories.
The daughter of Ted and sister of Ruby, Katie Walsh established a glittering reputation all of her own. Upon making the announcement, plaudits came thick and fast for the departing jockey.
Gutted I wont be able to watch the brilliant @katiewalsh9 riding anymore but what an inspiration and role model you have been. Happy retirement Katie x #differentclass #bestladyjockey #katiewalsh #inherownleague
— Megan Nicholls (@meg_nicholls11) April 27, 2018
Katie Walsh sells a breeze-up horse for 500,000gns, and nearly retires on the spot. She's dead right! 😂 Good luck to her, like many in Ireland, she was an amateur in name only. A fine career.
— Declan Rix (@HawkWing2002) April 27, 2018
What a way for Katie Walsh to announce retirement. Awesome ride on Antey! #Punchestown
— &Y (@JACK3TTS) April 27, 2018
Astounding news that Katie Walsh is retiring from the saddle, a brilliant jockey and a brilliant person to be associated with our sport, I'm sure she'll be successful in whatever she chooses to do next
— Lewis Tomlinson🐎 (@LTRacing_) April 27, 2018
Happy retirement to Katie Walsh - announced the news following her victory on Antey at Punchestown. #ClapHerOut 👏 pic.twitter.com/3GeCKBjoed
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) April 27, 2018
Happy retirement to Katie Walsh, who announced that she is calling it a day after riding Antey to victory at Punchestown. pic.twitter.com/XMi6a2u3l7
— Timeform Live (@TimeformLive) April 27, 2018
You can watch the final stretch of her victorious finale below.
Different gravy that ride from Katie Walsh at Punchestown on Anteypic.twitter.com/DsN1CYqRZd
— Francis Keogh (@HonestFrank) April 27, 2018
