How Ruby Walsh became the finest big-race rider of his generation

Festival Legends: Ruby Walsh

There have been jockeys who rode more winners than him (albeit only two), and others who rode for longer or tortured themselves more, but when it came to the Cheltenham Festival, Ruby Walsh was the man.

Not that he didn't ride a lot of winners elsewhere – he managed to be Irish champion 12 times despite having a British career to consider as well – but Prestbury Park was where he made his name as perhaps the finest big-race rider of his, or perhaps any, generation. Not for nothing is the prize for the leading rider each year a statuette modelled in the image of the man who won the accolade no fewer than 11 times.

It's hard to compare across generations – there are more races these days, even an extra day, and mounts are concentrated in the hands of those who ride for the 'juggernaut' yards – but Walsh's total of 59 winners is so far ahead of every rival that the statistics are all but incontrovertible. Even Barry Geraghty, who had the best of Nicky Henderson's talent at his disposal, languishes 16 wins behind his fellow countryman, with Davy Russell standing as the most prolific active rider on 25.