Katie Walsh bows out on a winner

Katie Walsh ended a wonderful amateur riding career on a high when partnering Antey to a thrilling victory in the Salessense International Novice Hurdle at Punchestown.

She rode three Cheltenham Festival winners and partnered Thunder And Roses to land the 2015 Irish Grand National, while another career highlight came at Aintree three years earlier when finishing third on Seabass — the highest ever finish by a female rider in the Grand National.

Walsh (33) rode in the race for a sixth time last month when last of 12 finishers aboard Baie Des Iles, trained by her husband, Ross O’Sullivan.

She returned to the winners' enclosure in tears and immediately made the shock announcement saying "It's been on my mind for a while and it's on to another chapter in my life. I wanted to go out on a winner and just the way it worked out to get a spare over hurdles and to ride it for Willie makes it extra special.

"I've had a marvellous career and have unbelievable memories. I wanted to go out on my own terms and it is a relief to able to do this and I couldn't get a better place than Punchestown to go out, with my family and Ross present.

"I wanted to ride in a National for Ross and did that and have ridden winners in France, Australia, England and Ireland and was very lucky throughout my career. I've had the backing of dad and Ross and wouldn't have ridden half these winners without the backing of Willie.

"It's the right time for me and I'd like to thank everyone I've ridden for, but all good things have to come to an end!"

Walsh comes from a family steeped in riding tradition as her father Ted was a multiple Irish champion amateur jockey, while her brother Ruby is widely regarded as one of the all-time greats in the saddle with a record number of Cheltenham Festival winners and crowned 12 times Irish champion jump jockey.

Her brother Ted is also married to former champion amateur rider Nina Carberry.

Walsh has enjoyed many of her best moments in the saddle when teaming up with Mullins including at Cheltenham with Thousand Stars and Relegate.

He said, “Katie has been a big part of our team for many years, and I’m hugely honoured that we were lucky enough to give her that last winner. She gave the horse some ride. She’s ridden many big winners for us over the years including Cheltenham Festival winners.

“She’s sort of a super-sub in our yard, and was probably riding as third or fourth jockey all the time. It’s a great end to a great career.”

She picked up the spare ride on Antey by a circuitous route after Noel Fehily was injured earlier in the day and his replacement Danny Mullins was also sidelined after a fall.

The race itself provided a thrilling finish with the judge needing several minutes to separate the 9/1 chance and the Barry Geraghty-ridden Shady Operator by a nose.

(TW & AM)