It WAS a match made in racing heaven.
But even the strongest pairings will eventually run their course, and so it has proved with the split – albeit a wholly amicable one – between two of the sport's leading lights.
Ruby Walsh, for 11 years the stable jockey of former champion trainer Paul Nicholls, will be replaced by Daryl Jacob as the number one rider at Nicholls' yard in south Devon after announcing he wants to spend less time away from his family home in Ireland.
Thirty-four-year-old Walsh, one of the leading National Hunt jockeys, also wants to devote more time to racing on home turf. The move comes after a long consultation period with his employer, who he yesterday said has been "responsible for some of the most amazing days of my life".
Walsh said: "I started as Paul's stable jockey in October 2002, but when I chose to live in Ireland, this was always going to be a job that involved a lot of travelling. Paul has never been anything but fair and honest since our association began.
"From King Georges and Tingle Creeks, to Champion Chases, World Hurdles and Gold Cups, he has been behind them all. With horses like Kauto Star, Denman, Master Minded, Azertyuiop, Strong Flow and Twist Magic, to the current stars Big Buck's, Silviniaco Conti and Al Ferof, great horses were, and still, are a stable diet in Ditcheat.
"Being stable jockey there enabled me to ride in, and win, the biggest races in our sport, so walking away from my job as stable jockey was never going to be easy. However, I felt towards the end of last season the travelling was starting to take its toll – my family and I were like passing ships in the night."
Walsh, whose last big-race triumph for Nicholls was on Zarkandar in the Aintree Hurdle in April, said the decision to walk away required deep thought. He added: "There was never going to be an easy or right time to make the decision to leave. However, at 34, I no longer feel I can give 100% to two yards – and being a bit-part player will only hinder both."
Walsh said the decision to part company from Nicholls was also made in a bid to extend his career.
He said: "The future for me will be Naas instead of Newbury, and Navan instead of Haydock, but it will also be home for dinner with Gillian [Walsh's wife] and the girls rather than a quick coffee and breakfast. I also hope this decision will enable me to prolong the career I love for years to come.
"My future will be very different, and probably a bit strange, but I think it is still bright as Willie Mullins' stable is well stocked with talent and hopefully some future stars. What I have left behind is a powerful yard, headed up by a gentleman, and friendships made for life."
Nicholls said that discussions over Walsh handing over the reins at Ditcheat had been taking place "for the past couple of months".
He added: "Daryl takes over as the number one, and I am as delighted for him as I am sad to see Ruby go – Daryl has earned his chance.
"Myself and Ruby have been chatting for the past couple of months. It was clear that the constant travelling to and from Ireland, with his wife Gillian and the girls at home, was becoming a bit of a grind for him.
"It isn't as if he is severing all his ties here at Ditcheat anyway, as he will continue to ride for us this season and in the future when he is needed and when he is available."
Owner John Hales, for whom Walsh rode the likes of Noland, Neptune Collonges and Al Ferof, added: "It's the right decision. We are grateful to him for some of the days we've had."
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