Quick Ruby return looks unlikely
The Irish Examiner columnist broke his leg in a fall from Corrick Bridge at Down Royal two weeks ago and was given a three-month timescale for recovery.
Jockeys are renowned for defying medical science and doctors’ orders, but Walsh has decided that, in this instance, discretion is the better part of valour and accepted that he will not be back in the saddle before the end of January at the very earliest.
“I was in Tallaght Hospital yesterday to have the swabs changed around the wounds where the pins go through my leg. I’m in an Ilizarov frame at the moment, a Russian invention that is built for speed” joked the Kildare pilot.
“It’s healing well, the operation went well, the bone is properly aligned and hopefully I’m on target. But it’s a broken leg so you’re looking at three months. That’s the end of January or the start of Feburary… the start of February more than likely. Normally I’d be trying to get a few weeks off it but you can’t be doing that either, not with the leg.”
And the man who will have to sit on the sidelines as the likes of Noel Fehilly and Paul Townend boot home winners that he should be riding, has just one, tongue-in-cheek wish for Christmas.
“All I want is about four foot of snow from the 31st of December to the 30th of January!” cracked Walsh. “It’s not getting any easier watching other fellas ride the winners but there’s no point in crying over spilled milk either.”
