Ruby Walsh Joins Racing Post with a Mission to Shake Up Horse Racing

Legendary jockey Ruby Walsh has joined the Racing Post as an exclusive weekly columnist, promising to tackle the biggest issues facing horse racing and offer the sort of straight-talking opinions that have made him one of the sport's most respected voices.

The 12-time Irish champion jockey, who remains the most successful rider in Cheltenham Festival history, is swapping the saddle for the written word as he begins a new chapter with Britain's leading racing publication.

Walsh has never been someone to sit on the fence, whether discussing controversial riding decisions, racecourse management or the direction of the sport. His arrival at the Racing Post should therefore provide plenty of interesting reading, particularly for those who believe racing needs a few uncomfortable conversations.

His first column appears online on Friday, 9 October, for Racing Post+ Insider and Ultimate subscribers, before featuring in Saturday's printed newspaper.

Not Another Racing Tipster

Anyone hoping Walsh will spend his Fridays picking out a few short-priced favourites might be disappointed. The former jockey has made it clear that his new role is about examining racing rather than simply predicting winners.

"I'm looking forward to it, and I hope no-one is expecting another tipster," Walsh joked when discussing his appointment.

His ambition is to offer independent opinions, challenge established thinking and encourage discussion about how racing operates.

That approach should suit Walsh perfectly. Since retiring from riding in 2019, he has developed a reputation as an excellent television analyst, combining his extraordinary understanding of race tactics with a willingness to criticise decisions he believes are wrong.

Racing Needs Leadership, Not More Excuses

Perhaps the most interesting aspect of Walsh's appointment is his determination to address the problems that continue to trouble British and Irish racing.

"Hopefully we can try to make racing a little bit better than it is," he explained, setting out an ambition that goes considerably further than simply filling a weekly newspaper column.

Walsh highlighted the long-running arguments surrounding racing's finances, taxation and fixture list, pointing out that many of the industry's problems have been discussed for decades without satisfactory resolution.

"We've been fighting the very same arguments for a very long time," he observed.

He also questioned the willingness of those in authority to make difficult decisions, particularly when racecourses and governing bodies disagree over who should shoulder responsibility for change.

"If racing wants to step forward, everyone has got to feel a little bit of pain, but it needs leaders to make those decisions."

It is a point that deserves attention. British racing continues to wrestle with questions surrounding prize money, racecourse finances, betting turnover, fixture congestion and the sport's ability to attract new audiences.

There are no simple answers, but having someone of Walsh's standing prepared to challenge the decision-makers could make for some fascinating columns.

A Career That Commands Respect

Few people are better qualified to discuss National Hunt racing than Ruby Walsh.

During a remarkable riding career, the Irishman established himself as one of the greatest jump jockeys the sport has ever produced, forming hugely successful partnerships with trainers Willie Mullins and Paul Nicholls.

His achievements include:

• 59 Cheltenham Festival winners, a record that still stands.
• 12 Irish jump jockeys' championships.
• Two Grand National victories aboard Papillon in 2000 and Hedgehunter in 2005.
• Two Cheltenham Gold Cup victories aboard Kauto Star.
• Four Champion Hurdle victories, including two aboard the brilliant Hurricane Fly.

Walsh rode some of the finest jump horses of the modern era, including Kauto Star, Big Buck's, Hurricane Fly, Faugheen and Annie Power.

However, his reputation was built on more than winning major races. His tactical awareness, ability to judge pace and understanding of how races develop made him a formidable opponent, particularly at Cheltenham.

Those qualities have transferred naturally into his broadcasting career, where he has become known for identifying details that ordinary viewers might miss.

A Welcome Voice at an Important Time

The timing of Walsh's appointment is particularly interesting as the National Hunt season begins gathering momentum.

Chepstow's traditional autumn meeting provides the backdrop for his first column, but the subjects he intends to discuss extend well beyond the action on the racecourse.

Racing faces genuine challenges, from its relationship with bookmakers and the funding of prize money to the quality of television coverage and the complicated structure of its fixture programme.

Walsh has previously been critical of how racing is presented to television audiences, arguing that better camera angles and production standards could help viewers appreciate the skill and excitement involved.

His willingness to examine these subjects should give the Racing Post something different from its usual collection of previews, tips and race reports.

More importantly, Walsh has the credibility to ask awkward questions without being dismissed as someone who does not understand the realities of the sport.

Can Ruby Walsh Make Racing Better?

Whether one columnist can genuinely influence the direction of horse racing remains to be seen, but Walsh certainly has the experience, reputation and platform to make people listen.

His appointment is also an interesting move for the Racing Post, bringing another prominent personality into its editorial operation at a time when informed opinion and specialist analysis remain important parts of racing journalism.

For racing fans, the attraction is obvious. Walsh has spent a lifetime competing at the highest level, knows many of the industry's leading figures and rarely struggles to express an opinion.

There will undoubtedly be occasions when trainers, racecourse executives and racing administrators disagree with what he writes. Given his reputation, that might be precisely what makes his column worth reading.

Walsh spent his riding career finding gaps that other jockeys couldn't see. If he can identify a few in racing's leadership and decision-making, his latest appointment could prove another winner.

*Source: Racing Post, October 2026.*