'The ultimate jockey' - Gigginstown's tribute to remarkable Davy Russell

Gigginstown House Stud's Eddie O’Leary described Davy Russell as a "natural horseman" as he paid tribute to the legendary rider, who announced his retirement at Thurles on Sunday.

Some of Russell’s finest days in the saddle came in Gigginstown's maroon and white colours, including two Grand National wins aboard Tiger Roll, and O’Leary believes the 25-time Cheltenham Festival-winning jockey will be "irreplaceable".

“For the last number of years, he could give 7lb to the rest of the weighroom,” said O’Leary. “He was just so so good. Down the banks, getting horses into a rhythm, getting them jumping – boom, boom, boom. It was incredible, never mind what he’d do at the finish. He was a remarkable jockey, rider and horseman.”