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Not that big a shock really ...
One of the most successful partnerships in recent racing history is coming to an end as it emerged on Sunday night that jockey Ruby Walsh is to discontinue his alliance with trainer Paul Nicholls.
In news that will come as a major shock to the jumps racing world, Walsh has written an exclusive column for the Irish Examiner in which he reveals that he will no longer ride for the former champion trainer.
The decision is another blow for Nicholls, who lost the trainers' championship to Nicky Henderson last season, the first time after seven straight triumphs starting in the 2005-2006 season. Nicholls had a very public split with Kauto Star's owner, Clive Smith, last year following the outstanding chaser's retirement while his long-time assistant, Dan Skelton, left at the end of last season to train in his own right.
Walsh and Nicholls have enjoyed numerous successes over the last decade together including multiple victories in the Queen Mother Champion Chase and the King George VI Chase as well as two triumphs with Kauto Star in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
It is understood Walsh has given the extensive travelling between Ireland, where he is stable jockey for the champion trainer Willie Mullins, and Britain as one of the reasons for the sudden parting of the ways with the Somerset-based Nicholls.
The vacancy at Nicholls' yard will be one much sought after among the leading riders on the jumps, but it could be the opportunity for which the stable's number two, Daryl Jacob, has waited. His most high-profile victory was on Neptune Collonges in the 2012 Grand National for Nicholls.
One of the most successful partnerships in recent racing history is coming to an end as it emerged on Sunday night that jockey Ruby Walsh is to discontinue his alliance with trainer Paul Nicholls.
In news that will come as a major shock to the jumps racing world, Walsh has written an exclusive column for the Irish Examiner in which he reveals that he will no longer ride for the former champion trainer.
The decision is another blow for Nicholls, who lost the trainers' championship to Nicky Henderson last season, the first time after seven straight triumphs starting in the 2005-2006 season. Nicholls had a very public split with Kauto Star's owner, Clive Smith, last year following the outstanding chaser's retirement while his long-time assistant, Dan Skelton, left at the end of last season to train in his own right.
Walsh and Nicholls have enjoyed numerous successes over the last decade together including multiple victories in the Queen Mother Champion Chase and the King George VI Chase as well as two triumphs with Kauto Star in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
It is understood Walsh has given the extensive travelling between Ireland, where he is stable jockey for the champion trainer Willie Mullins, and Britain as one of the reasons for the sudden parting of the ways with the Somerset-based Nicholls.
The vacancy at Nicholls' yard will be one much sought after among the leading riders on the jumps, but it could be the opportunity for which the stable's number two, Daryl Jacob, has waited. His most high-profile victory was on Neptune Collonges in the 2012 Grand National for Nicholls.
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