Ted Walsh: 'I've seen jockeys die - I just hoped I'd never see Ruby like that'
David Jennings catches up with one of the most recognisable voices in racing
The latest episode of TED talks comes to you from a cosy sitting room in County Kildare, just off the M7 motorway on the outskirts of Kill village.
"You know what drives me absolutely bananas? When I see lads fist-bumping each other. This idea of putting your fist against another fella's fist is just nonsense. I'd rather a fella kick me. And the same goes for touching elbows. That is vomit, absolute vomit. I feel like puking when I see that. If you can't shake hands with someone or throw your arms around them, just forget about it."
And we're off. The raw, unshackled authenticity that makes Ted Walsh one of the most compelling pundits racing has ever produced has not been refined by any pandemic. Nor has age wrinkled him. He looks as fresh at 70 as he did at 50. His eyes still jiving; his tongue continuing to do cartwheels.
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Published on inInterviews
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- 'The lads often give out to me for saying what I say - but if I didn't say what I thought I wouldn't be being true to myself'
- 'All anyone wants is a pat on the back and these awards show you mean something to the yard and the people there. It's brilliant'
- 'It's tough financially and last year I said I might get a job driving a lorry instead - although to be fair I'd probably crash!'
- 'I'm not here to tell people how to train but if you hide something from me, I'm gone, I'm done - and you won't see me again'
- 'I had to fly back from Saudi on the day for the awards before flying back the following day but it really was a great evening'
- 'The lads often give out to me for saying what I say - but if I didn't say what I thought I wouldn't be being true to myself'
- 'All anyone wants is a pat on the back and these awards show you mean something to the yard and the people there. It's brilliant'