ALL THE TALK before today’s racing at Gowran Park was about whether Ruby Walsh could get the two wins necessary to take his career total to 2500 victories.
But after Walsh claimed his second win of the day, an eight-length success on Au Quart Du Tour, confusion emerged around Walsh’s career statistics. His wins as an amateur Flat jockey were at the root of this uncertainty.
“I’m not counting,” Walsh told reporters after the race.
“I probably would have ridden a few (winners) as an amateur on the Flat more so than as a professional.
“I’m still a long way behind Dicky (Richard Johnson) and a very, very long way behind AP (McCoy).”
A stewards’ inquiry has been called over his exact total.
It was a successful day for Walsh in Kilkenny as his win on possible Supreme Novices’ Hurdle contender Au Quart De Tour was preceded by a victory on Footpad in the day’s opener.
Footpad, sent off at 1/10, was also a comfortable winner, cruising home 12 lengths clear of Jazz Ranger under the 10-time Irish champion jockey.
Willie Mullins’ four-year-old gelding will next run in the Grade One Spring Juvenile Hurdle at Leopardstown on 6 February.
