AN epoch-defining career that spanned close to a quarter of a century and contained a plethora of accolades came to a close on the Wednesday of the Punchestown Festival as Ruby Walsh (pictured with wife Gillian, and daughters Erica, Elsa, Gemma and Isabelle) brought down the curtain on his career with the sort of impeccable timing that was synonymous with his riding career.

The Punchestown Gold Cup lived up to every expectation and more as Kemboy lowered the colours of his stablemate and Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Al Boum Photo. The race, itself a terrific spectacle, was consigned to a mere footnote on the day as Walsh waved goodbye to the crowd as his mount crossed the line in front.