Grateful Russell pays tribute to Gigginstown

Davy Russell paid his tribute to the Gigginstown House Stud team after being crowned Ireland’s champion National Hunt jockey for the first time on Saturday.

Russell, the Horse Racing Ireland jumps ambassador, rides as first jockey for Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary’s operation, with O’Leary’s brother, Eddie, acting as racing manager.

The Gigginstown colours first came to prominence with Cheltenham Gold Cup winner War Of Attrition but now barely a meeting goes past without seeing the famous maroon and white silks.