Announced his retirement yesterday after winning another Group 1,the Gold Cup in Punchestown.I wish him all the best and I'm sure like me we all won a few bob on his winners over the years.
Great horseman but drove me mad the last couple of years!!Not a fan of him personally, Grade A ignorant arsehole(living in Kildare I've heard a few unpleasant stories about him)
Such a stylish rider to watch and knew how to judge the pace in a race. One of the greatest jockeys in my lifetime. I will forever remember Ruby for his association with Kauto Star. Loved tuning in on boxing day to follow the star romp to victory. That was like printing money!
My favourite jockey, and I think he is the best we've seen, and it will be fascinating to see what happens with the Mullins yard after this departure. The thing with Ruby that set him aside from most was his ability to dictate a race, and not necessarily from the front. The best example of this for me was his ride on Yorkhill in the Neptune Hurdle at the festival. He knew he had the horse under him and settled him on the rail, this meant that his rivals travelled wider, and when they swung in, the gap was massive for him to push Yorkhill to the front. All the while Yanworth was pushed wide and the race was over in the blink of an eye. A brilliant horseman who looked after horses, educated them in races whilst giving them every chance. The fact that he goes out whilst riding for the best trainer with the most ammunition says it all. Then obviously you have Boxing Day.
I had always been an admirer of Ruby. My admiration did sink to a low on one occasion but overall, however he may be viewed as a character, a brilliant horseman and, in my view, the best NH rider around during his time.
Probably the most stylish and naturally gifted NH jockey of his generation, but if you had your last tenner on one, you'd want McCoy riding it.
According to ATR 12 times. 0 winners, 6 places. The great man was **** at Ludders. McCoy on the other hand had over 100 winners there. Conclusive proof I feel that if you had one at Ludlow in the noughties and you needed it to win, AP would be your man. A minor caveat however that they both raced prior to 2000 and ATR's results service doesn't include the last century.
a great jockey, definitely up there with McCoy, but above all I will associate him with Cheltenham. The undisputed king of the festival. it will be strange without him next March.
I didn't rate that Cheltenham AP ride on Wichita Lineman much at all. In fairness though I was on Maljimar and was working out what I was going to do with my winnings all the way up the hill.
My fav Cheltenham ride was Jamie Codd on Character Building winning Kim Muir in 2009, perfect waiting ride.
