Ted Walsh was joined by his daughter Katie and son Ruby as, after 40 years, he announced that this would be his last day on RTE’s racing coverage.
The 73-year-old Kildare man sprung the news on his RTÉ colleagues during their coverage of Punchestown this Saturday.
“There comes a time in everyone’s life when you’ve to call it a day,” said Ted.
“I loved it and I had a great response. I got myself into a bit of hot water here and there, but that happens on live television.
Truly the end of an era as Ted Walsh announces his retirement from racing punditry. Good luck Ted #RTEracing pic.twitter.com/ZDmyhadM6H
— RTÉ Racing (@RTEracing) April 29, 2023
Always entertaining, and never dull, it was fitting that the trainer and former jockey bowed out in some style.
“But I’ve enjoyed it. It’s a great sport, it’s been good to all of ye, it’s been good to everyone connected with it and thank you all very much. And thanks RTE.”
Walsh became visibly emotional as he paid a tribute to his family, with a special word saved for his wife Helen.
“Before I go off the air completely, I’d like to thank my family as well too. They’ve been great supporters of mine right through. One particular person is my partner for life, Helen, without her, I don’t know what I would have done,” he said for a finish.
Meanwhile, over on Racing TV, Ruby Walsh paid tribute to his dad.
“He wasn’t into the homework that the rest of us do, to dad it just seemed to be, whatever he saw he reacted to, and said what he thought, and meant what he said. I’m certainly proud of him anyway,” he said.
“As dad would always have advised, be gone before you’re pushed,” added Ruby.
Later on in the day, the Walsh trio came together on RTÉ as Ted said a final goodbye.
“It’s not that it’s sad. It’s just the end of something… that’s all,” she said fittingly.
“I’ll miss the controversy, miss the craic,” she added.
“It’ll be like when we were back riding now,” said Ruby. He’ll be on the phone every ten minutes, what did you say that for, what did you do this for! It’ll be the same thing all over again,” added Ruby.
Ted thanked the pair for all the great days they gave him, following them into the Cheltenham winners enclosure.
“I think he got better craic out of my four (Cheltenham winners) than his 54,” Katie said.
"It's not that it's sad. It's just the end of something… that's all." – Ruby and Katie pay tribute to dad Ted as he brings the curtain down on a 40-year career #RTEracing pic.twitter.com/SLjv5hZJYr
— RTÉ Racing (@RTEracing) April 29, 2023
And that was that.
Related links
- Ruby Walsh and Davy Russell’s tense but passionate debate makes for tremendous TV
- Davy Russell criticises Aintree Grand National protestors
