Ruby Walsh: 'I always tried to duck concussion protocol'

Ruby Walsh believes horse racing has been well ahead of other sports in its treatment of concussed athletes but admits that jockeys will continue to try to fool the protocols, in order to avoid the mandatory suspensions.

Speaking at the launch of the first Irish research study into the long-term effects of concussion in sport he said: “As a jockey, to the day I retired, I’d have ducked it, hidden it, or gotten away with it because you want to be back riding the next day.“He says this is particularly prominent in racing because jockeys are self-employed, but he also believes racing’s athlete care has been “very far ahead” of other sports.