As The Cheltenham Festival 2020 reaches peak preparation, former top jockey Katie Walsh takes racing presenter Nick Luck on a tour behind the scenes at the racecourse.
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Organised by Betway, the tour takes in areas of the racecourse that are closed to the public, including the Weighing Room, Jockeys’ Changing Rooms, Parade Ring and Winner’s Enclosure – as well as a trip around the track. In each area Katie Walsh describes what it’s like to experience the thrill of The Festival from the jockey’s point of view.
Katie Walsh is the daughter of trainer Ted Walsh, the sister of top jockey (retired) Ruby Walsh and sister-in-law of Cheltenham’s Cross Country Chase record-holding jockey (retired) Nina Carberry. During her career, Katie Walsh rode three winners at The Festival: in 2010 she won the National Hunt Chase Challenge Cup on Poker De Sivola on the first day of The Festival. That same week she also won the County Handicap Hurdle aboard Thousand Stars on the last day.
She rode her third winner at The Cheltenham Festival in 2018, in the Grade 1 Champion Bumper. The race brought spectators to their feet as she rode Relegate from the back of the field 5 furlongs out to catch the leader right at the line. Hear her thoughts on that race, and The Festival atmosphere – watch the video below:
Karen can usually be found glued to her computer or at the stables. Having edited several national magazines she co-founded Eclipse Magazine in 2008 after realising that many of her friends were nervous about going racing due to lack of information – what to wear, how to bet etc.
She absolutely loves her job (how many people can say that?!) and is truly grateful to all supporters of and contributors to Eclipse Magazine.
If you are reading this she would like to say THANK YOU! (And please spread the word about Eclipse…!!)
