The “two best female riders of all time” have retired from racing in the same week. Katie Walsh and Nina Carberry have both announced they are to hang up their boots, each after winning her final race at Punchestown. Katie (pictured, above) announced her retirement at Punchestown, following a win on the Willie Mullins-trained Anstey. Her sister-in-law Nina Carberry followed suit the next day after she had ridden Josies Orders, trained by Enda Bolger, to victory.
Katie, who became the highest-placed female Grand National finisher in 2012 when she came third on Seabass, also has three Cheltenham Festival wins to her name and the 2015 Irish Grand National. She was delighted to win her last race for Willie, who took his 12th Irish champion jumps trainer title. “It’s very emotional and it means an enormous amount to finish off here because Punchestown is so important to me,” she said.
“I’ve been coming here for so long, ever since I was a kid, and it’s great to do it on a horse of Willie’s; I couldn’t have done half of it without him. I wanted to go out on a winner. I’ve had a marvelous career with unbelievable memories. The only thing I’d love to have done is to win an English National.” She was greeted by a guard of honor of fellow jockeys and welcomed by her family, including father Ted, who said: “Katie said if she rode a winner she’d call it a day. It’s a lovely way for her to finish.
“She’s done more than we’d ever had thought she’d achieve.” “It was really sweet to finish off on Josies Orders,” she said. “Enda has been a massive supporter and I wouldn’t have had all the Cheltenham winners without him and J P [McManus]. “I’m sad and happy. Sad that I’m finished and going to miss all the banter but happy I’ve got a new career ahead of me.”
