Walsh Nicholls out

Are Nicholls' good fortunes coming to an end? Falling out with Clive Smith, losing Dan Skelton, Harry Fry and now Ruby and certainly not got as strong a stable as he has had for many years...
 
Don't believe there's any fall out as such, just that RW is fed up with all the travelling involved and he has a young family now. Great opportunity for Daryl.
 
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PN on his Betfair column today

In many ways we are entering into a new era here at Ditcheat, and that is further underlined by today's news, broken in his Irish Examiner column, that Ruby (Walsh) won't be first jockey here this season.

Daryl (Jacob) 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 would have been exhausting for someone young and single, let alone a grey and ageing family man!!!

But he was getting up before 5am, and not getting home til after 8pm, when riding over here - before his girls got up in the morning, and after they went to bed most nights - and when you have a young family that must really take its toll.

So, for personal rather than professional reasons, he has taken the decision to end his near 11-year role as stable jockey at Ditcheat, having started here in October 2002, to concentrate on riding in Ireland.

He came over to explain his decision on Saturday, and we both agreed it was the best way forward in the circumstances.

After he had left for the airport, I texted him to say: "Thanks for all the magic moments."

And he texted back: "Magic, they were. And you made the success I have had, which made today the hardest call I have ever made. Thanks for the way you reacted, a gentleman and a friend."

That really meant a lot to me. He and his family have been coming to Ditcheat for as long as I can remember, and the bond our families have formed down the years will remain, whatever happens.

And 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. Of course he will.

You don't let someone of Ruby's calibre - he must have ridden 600-odd winners for us and been instrumental in nurturing the careers of Kauto Star, Denman, Master Minded and Neptune Collonges, as well as our current stars Big Buck's, Silviniaco Conti, Zarkandar and Al Ferof - go un-used.

Ruby had a difficult and unenviable job trying to satisfy both myself and Willie (Mullins) down the years, so at least that's another weight off his mind, as well as the travelling!

Above all, though, we respect each other and are more friends than anything else.

That brief text exchange on Saturday told you that.
 
Nicholls added: "I texted him [on Saturday] to say: 'Thanks for all the magic moments.'

"And he texted back: 'Magic, they were. And you made the success I have had, which made today the hardest call I have ever made. Thanks for the way you reacted, a gentleman and a friend.'
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I wonder is that really word for word
 
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No reason why not. He would look a bit silly if Ruby had really texted back "and up yours you fat wnkr!"

Its always been pretty clear that they have a pretty strong personal relationship (no laughing at the back)

I couldnt imagine anyone happily living Rubys schedule
 
Paul Townnend should not be very happy

It was not surprising news for me, what was surprising is how long he had been able to deal with the politic of riding for thos 2 very big stable at the same time.
 
Willie's dominance must also be playing a part too. Ruby is guaranteed lots of winners in Ireland on those Saturdays he was spending in the UK. Big loser will be Paul Townend but he will have to sit a suffer for a few years before Ruby retires.
 
Paul Townend to Ditcheat perhaps? Obviously not immediately, but surely PT will be pretty devastated. A talent like that surely needs to be number 1 sooner rather than later.
 
Sensible decision by Ruby, especially now KS etc have retired. It's seems to be very amicable, and it's not as if PN isn't one to show his true feelings a la Clive!

Willies monopoly on the Irish scene must make it an easier decision for Ruby. I do hope we will see him on Saturdays here, but at least we can watch Irish racing here!

Poor Paul Townend, but he will still get to mop up Ruby's rejects and I can't see Ruby going on until he's 40 like some jocks, so if he's patient Paul might well be in a very good position in a few years.

Fx
 
Does that mean that Willie Mullins will be bringing horses over here for the big Saturday races? I can't see Al Ferof moving to Dan Skelton unless Daryl can ride him, though.
 
Euronymous said:
Is it true that Al Ferof will be with Dan Skelton next season?
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Wouldn't be a massive price - Hales has had show jumpers with Dan's dad Nick in the past I believe so it'd be a possible.

As others have said Townend is the big loser in all this but Ruby isn't getting any younger and spending more time at home must see him taking a step closer to retirement and training (possibly)?

Big step up for Daryl Jacob - there'll be pressure from the owners and the stable has had a relatively lean time of it the past couple of seasons. Would like to see Bryan Cooper in the job in a couple of years time personally.

Martin
 
Will be an interesting ding-dong battle for the Irish champ jockey title the coming season! My money WONT be on Davy to retain it.

Sent from my GT-I9000 using Tapatalk 2
 
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