Ruby Walsh breaks ankle and six horses die at Killarney

Cheltenham Gold Cup-winning jockey Ruby Walsh is set to be off the racecourse for up to six weeks after breaking his ankle.

Ruby fractured his left ankle on Sunday (10 May) at Killarney when he fell from Imperial Hills in a handicap hurdle.

He walked from the racecourse using crutches. But following an examination on Tuesday, orthapaedic surgeon Bill Quinlan told the jockey he would be sidelined for between four and six weeks.

The Willie Mullins-trained racehorse Imperial Hills died from the fall. The horse was one of six to die during Sunday’s race meeting.

Tony Martin’s Robin Du Bois also suffered a fatal fall at the same hurdle, and four other horses died during the day.

Paul Carberry, who was riding Robin Du Bois was also injured in the fall but is expected to be riding by this weekend.

Clerk of the course Brendan Sheridan said that the condition of the ground was not to blame.

“All the jockeys said the ground today was perfect. It’s just the law of averages,” he said.

Last week jump racing in Australia was suspended after three horses died in three days at the Warrnambool Racing Carnival in Victoria (5-7 May).

An emergency board meeting of Racing Victoria was held today (Wednesday 13 May) and a decision whether jump racing will be permanently banned in the state will be made by the end of the week.

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