Ruby Walsh rode his final winner at Puncestown today when he won the Coral Gold Cup on Kemboy.

The 40-year-old rider opted to end his brilliant career in the saddle following a two-length victory aboard Willie Mullins' charge in the Grade 1 race.

"There comes a time when you want to do something else." he told Robert Hall on RTE. A career in the media is his likely next step. "I'll always want to work with horses." he said.

Among jump jockeys Ruby Walsh is the winningmost rider of all time in Ireland, and probably the greatest of all time anywhere in the world.

He won 2,757 races over jumps in Ireland and Britain combined, which ranks him third behind Sir Anthony McCoy (4,348) and Richard Johnson (3,623). But for sheer quality of winners he was in a class of his own. He was champion jump jockey a record 12 times in Ireland.

He burst on to the scene when winning the 2000 Grand National on Papillon, trained by his father, Ted. He would also win the race on Mullins’ Hedgehunter in 2005.

Perhaps the two horses who Walsh will be most remembered for, though, were the two-time Champion Hurdle hero Hurricane Fly and the dual Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Kauto Star.

He rode four of the greatest jumpers in the sport – Kauto Star, Denman, Master Minded and Big Buck's, all of them trained by Paul Nicholls as well as Champion Hurdle winners for Willie Mullins in Faugheen and Annie Power, two of the best trainers in the National Hunt game.

(more news and career details later)

The Stan James Champion Hurdle winner Faugheen and Ruby Walsh Photo HEALY RACING.

Date of Birth: May 14, 1979

First winner: Siren Song (Ted Walsh) Gowran Park, July 15th, 1995

Trainers: Paul Nicholls, Willie Mullins, Ted Walsh

2,500th winner: Killultagh Vic (Willie Mullins) Leopardstown, January 17, 2016

200th Grade 1 winner: Footpad (Willie Mullins) Cheltenham, March 13, 2018

Cheltenham winners: 59

Significant horses: Papillon, Commanche Court, Hedgehunter, Big Buck's, Hurricane Fly, Kauto Star, Master Minded, Quevega, Annie Power, Faugheen, Un De Sceaux, Kemboy

Grand National winner Hedgehunter

After winning the Champion Hurdle with Faugheen

Another Stan James Champion Hurdle win on Annie Power for Willie Mullins.

Five time King George winner Kauto Star and Ruby Walsh

Ruby and Hurricane Fly

Four time Stayers Hurdle winner Big Buck's also trained by Paul Nicholls

Returning at the Festival on Un De Sceaux

Quevega and trainer Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh.

Cheltenham 2009 Big Buck's and Ruby Walsh are led in after winning with trainer Paul Nicholls on the right of picture.

Ruby cannot contain his delight on Denman winning the Royal And Sun Alliance Chase for Paul Nicholls