Kildare jockey chalks up his 900 winner at Day 4 of Punchestown Festival
Brilliant milestown for top class jockey
Records were broken in more ways than one at Day 4 of the Puncherstown Festival on the penultimative day of racing at the Kildare venue.
With an attendance of 43,572, for Ladies Day, Willie Mullins was again the dominant trainer, with an impressive four-timer, the opening winner being Dinoblue in the hands of Mark Walsh and owned by JP McManus. Mullens other three were all ridden by Paul Townend - King Rasko Grey, Funiculi Funicula and Lossiemouth.
It was however Kildare man, Mark Walsh, whose win was a very significent one, being the Clane man's 900 winner in the saddle.
"Brilliant" said a delighted Walsh adding "when you start out you just want to lose your claim and then when you have achieved that you just want to win big races, so yes, it is absolutely brilliant."
Mark Walsh, whose no. 1 jockey contract with McManus horses ends at the close of racing today (Saturday 2 May), has ridden over 40 Group 1 winners including Inotherwayurthinkin, owned by JP McManus and trailed by Gavin Cromwell in the 2025 Cheltenham Gold Cup and Fact To File in the 2026 Irish Gold Cup in an absolute stellar career and while he will not be the leading retained jockey for McManus from today, no doubt he will certainly not be short of mounts in the coming seasons, including, no doubt, in the famous colours of JP McManus.