Oh Brother! Katie finally steps out of Ruby's shadow

Katie Walsh's message appeared to be "catch me if you can" as she, and Thousand Stars, galloped remorselessly up the relentless Cheltenham Hurdle to win the Vincent O'Brien County Hurdle on Gold Cup day.

Those unable to catch the 25-year-old included her brother Ruby, the National Hunt Festival's winning-most jockey, and Tony McCoy, the multiple champion with 3,000-plus career victories to his name.

Yet, without a flicker of hesitation, she says this was not the greatest success of her life.

That moment, says Walsh, came two days earlier when she marked St Patrick's Day by winning the National Hunt Chase for amateur riders aboard Ferdy Murphy's quirky Poker de Sivola.

The only Yorkshire triumph at this year's Festival, albeit it with a helping hand from across the Irish Sea, Walsh says she will "never forget" her first Cheltenham triumph – and the support offered by the West Witton trainer.

It was made even more special because she had to overcome her best friend, Nina Carberry, on the taxing run-in at the end of the four-mile marathon.

The only two female riders in the race, they had pulled a mile clear of their male rivals.

But, says Walsh, there is little chance of her – or Carberry – riding on a daily basis over obstacles against their male counterparts, even though the accomplished Hayley Turner, and others, are more than a match for the men on the Flat at the major meetings.

There are, she says, two reasons – safety and the strict rules governing the number of rides, and races, that amateurs can compete in.

"The falls McCoy and my brother have; some of them are just horrible," she told the Yorkshire Post. "I just don't think I fancy getting up on some of the horses that they ride. It's a mad sport – but I'm not that stupid. Or I don't think so.

"The other thing, here in Ireland, is that we're restricted to just 21 races a year against professionals if we're to retain our amateur status.

"The set-up is entirely different to Britain. Bumper races, future jumpers running on the Flat for experience, are only open to amateurs so we get far more opportunities to ride than if we were on your side of the Irish Sea.

"I'd like to think the likes of myself, and Nina, are very competitive at our weight – we can do 9st 9lb fairly comfortably and get lots of good opportunities."

Like Walsh, Murphy believes there will not exist a scenario where female jump jockeys will be regularly competing in jump racing's premier races alongside the professionals.

"Gee Armytage, who is now Tony McCoy's PA, rode a winner for me at Cheltenham many years back on a horse called Gee-A," he

explained. "People thought she might be the one – but she got a couple of very bad injuries and that was the nail in the coffin for lady riders.

"However, the likes of Katie and Nina are miles ahead of most amateurs – male and female – in their professionalism, dedication and attitude. I've known their families for years and I'm delighted to use them in the races for amateur riders.

"You also have to remember that the Bumper is the most important betting race in Ireland, the most turnover and such, and that they can earn a very good living this way."

That said, Walsh will never forget the phone call that she received from Murphy inviting her to ride Poker de Sivola at racing's equivalent of the Olympics.

Down in the dumps about the heavy traffic as she drove to Dublin Airport, and cursing her lack of opportunities for the week ahead, she wanted to scream when she put the phone down.

"Would you like to ride my horse?" Murphy asked. "Love to," replied Walsh. "See you there," said the trainer before hanging up. End of conversation.

Many accomplished pros – like Grand National-winning jockeys Graham Lee and Timmy Murphy – have struggled to make Poker de Sivola tick. He only won his first chase, at the 11th time of asking, at Catterick shortly before the Festival. Perversely, he is a horse that does not like to get his head in front.

It did not put Walsh off. Relaxed by the simplicity of Murphy's race instructions – "hunt round and see what happens" – and the lack of pressure on a 14-1 chance, she was to enjoy the race of her life, inching the horse in the race as the runners set out on the last circuit.

"Four miles. He had all the time in the world to get me into the race. He looked after me. You need plenty of luck, avoid the fallers. A win at Cheltenham. My first. A fairytale."

The winning jockey's father Ted – a former trainer and now Channel Four commentator – could not contain his excitement. Her brother Ruby ran out of the weighing room, interrupting his preparation for the next race, to greet his conquering sister and congratulate Murphy.

What did he say? "Ruby said 'well done', but he didn't have to say anything," revealed Walsh. "The look on his face was enough – I'll never forget it, or Mr Murphy for giving me my first Cheltenham winner."