Walsh pays tribute to first festival winner Alexander Banquet who dies aged 25

Ruby Walsh's stellar career will likely be best remembered for the great days aboard Kauto Star and Hurricane Fly, but a special place will forever be reserved in the multiple Irish champion rider's heart for his first Cheltenham Festival winner Alexander Banquet, who died aged 25 at Willie Mullins' stables over the weekend.

Not only did Alexander Banquet provide Walsh with his first taste of festival success when winning the 1998 Champion Bumper, but the Noel O'Callaghan-owned gelding also gave the rider his first Grade 1 triumph over hurdles when landing the following season's Royal Bond Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse.

Good old days: Florida Pearl and Jackie Mullins (left) alongside Alexander Banquet and Tracy Gilmour with Willie Mullins watchingCredit: Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)

Walsh was still an amateur when getting the leg up on Alexander Banquet in the Champion Bumper and he acknowledged the faith connections placed in him at the time.

He said: "I was Mr R Walsh back then and between Willie and the owner Noel O'Callaghan they were very good to leave me on him after we won a bumper at Gowran Park together. That's been a trait of Willie's down through the years."

Alexander Banquet career highlights

Won ten races and placed six times from 31 starts
Won 1998 Grade 1 Cheltenham Champion Bumper
Won 1998 Grade 1 Royal Bond Novice Hurdle
Won 1999 Grade 1 Drinmore Novice Chase
Won 2002 Grade 1 Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup

Alexander Banquet has been cared for by Mullins' wife Jackie ever since his retirement and had been living in a field alongside the champion trainer's final festival winner as a rider, Wither Or Which, who landed the 1996 Champion Bumper for the trainer-jockey.

Blast from the past: Alexander Banquet and Ruby Walsh canter down to the start at LeopardstownCredit: Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)

Walsh added: "I suppose it's like anything, your first is always very special. I was so young back then but you never forget your first and he was a wonderful horse for my career and I also rode my first Grade 1 winner as a professional on him as well when we won the Royal Bond Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse the following season.

"He was a tough, genuine horse who gave it his all and I'll never forget that day at Cheltenham with him. He was just a wonderful horse who had a brilliant life and Jackie looked after him well – and she still has Wither Or Which – after he retired. It's a sad day but he was a great horse who'll be fondly remembered."

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