
Horseracing
Share
Published 11:01 15 May 2019 BST
Updated 11:07 15 May 2019 BST
Explore more on these topics:
"I’m probably not as shocked or as surprised as everyone else. There were signs there along the way. Michael and Anita have four kids that are growing up and the only one that appears to have interest in racing is Michael.He didn’t go to the Irish National this year. He wasn’t at the Dublin Racing Festival this year on the Saturday when Apple’s Jade won either because he was doing things with the kids," said Ruby to Paddy Power News.
Ever since his blistering emergence onto the National Hunt scene in the early 2000s, Michael O'Leary and Gigginstown House stud have taken over. War of Attrition's Cheltenham Gold Cup triumph in 2006 was their first blue riband success but they've gone onto dominate to the extent that seven winners at last year's festival wore the iconic maroon and white colours. As well as lighting up racetracks with his colourful and always charismatic interviews, O'Leary will be remembered for his successful relationship with Gordon Elliott, his famous wins with Don Cossack and Tiger Roll and his ultra-competitive mindset. All you'd have to do is ask Davy Russell. The sport of kings will miss him."They’ve won a lot but to have the amount of horses they have, you need to be in love and dedicated to racing 24/7. I don’t think it was a financial decision either. You don’t get to be as clever as Michael O’Leary by thinking that getting involved in National Hunt racing is a wise business decision. It’s not to make a profit, it’s a passion..."
"The knock-on effect of their decision will be felt immediately and from the bottom up. They won’t be buying next week at the Land Rover Sale. They won’t be buying at the Derby Sale. They won’t have point-to-pointers next year, no bumper horses, then no novice hurdlers or chasers. It might take them four or five years to get out, but the ramifications will be felt as soon as this morning. "I don’t think anyone will benefit from this situation. It’s a loss for Irish racing. There is no winner."

The 2026 Aintree Grand National live hub
Horseracing

Racing expert reveals the one horse that could cause the biggest upset at this year’s Grand National
Horseracing

Horseracing
Paddock Picks: Our biggest tips for the Aintree Grand National
It’s the biggest race of the year. This week on your favourite horse racing podcast, The Paddock, the full gang are here as we’re joined by Rishi Persad, Oli Bell, Tom Stanley and Nick Luck. The panel dive into their own deeply personal Grand National memories including watching it all the way from the Caribbean […]
Horseracing
2 weeks ago
The 2026 Aintree Grand National live hub
Horse racing’s most celebrated race! We are back for another year at Aintree! The festival itself kicks off today, April 9, with Ladies Day tomorrow, and the Grand National on Saturday. Follow our live hub blog below for all of the action.
Horseracing
2 weeks ago
Horseracing
Horseracing