Ruby Walsh set for extended break from racing

Ruby Walsh may not return to action until the autumn after he underwent surgery to repair damaged ligaments in his right shoulder on Monday.

The star jockey had made a faster-than-anticipated comeback at the Punchestown Festival during the spring after he dislocated a shoulder and suffered a broken right arm when he fell from Abbyssial in the Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

Walsh was seen most recently last Sunday, when partnering Abbyssial and Diakali in big races in France, but was always resigned to the fact an operation would be necessary.

The rider will be sidelined for the Galway Festival, which begins on July 28th.

“I realised I was running the risk of dislocating my shoulder again and so had to have the operation to repair the ligaments,” he said in the Irish Examiner this morning.

“I wanted to come back for Punchestown, and then to ride in some big races in France, and have no regrets. That was the chance I took.

“I have no chance of being back in time for Galway. My arm will be in a sling for six weeks and then, I’d imagine, there will be another six weeks or so of rehabilitation.”