‘I would very rarely eat before I race . . . if I’m going racing I won’t eat until the evening’

What I Eat: Jockey Ruby Walsh explains his daily diet

Jockey Ruby Walsh:  Breakfast or lunch, it’s one or the other. Photo: Alan Betson
Jockey Ruby Walsh: Breakfast or lunch, it’s one or the other. Photo: Alan Betson

What did you eat yesterday?
I had a ham and cheese sandwich at lunchtime. And then for dinner I had roast beef, asparagus, corn on the cob, carrots and parsnips and a baked potato. I didn't have breakfast because I never have breakfast. Almost never. Breakfast or lunch, it's one or the other.


What do you eat on race day?
I would very rarely eat before I race. Maybe once in a while but usually I wouldn't. I'd have my normal dinner at night but generally if I'm going racing I won't eat until the evening.


Anything you do without that you miss?
The one thing I miss isn't any particular food. It's more that when you go on holidays and you get used to eating three meals a day, going back to eating twice and sometimes just once a day takes a bit of getting used to. I miss that extra meal once I go back riding.
Favourite place to eat out?
I really like Vie de Chateaux in Naas, a great French place. The Brown Bear in Twomilehouse is very good. And when we're taking the kids out, Kildare Village or Fallon's in Kilcullen are great.


Scale of 1 to 5, do you enjoy cooking?
I would say a four but only if the ingredients are there ready for me. If I have to go shopping for them, if I have to be the one who has to go to the hassle of going to get it all, then my enjoyment level would go way down.

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What do you like to cook?
Anything that I can taste as I go. I don't like making a roast because you put it in and then you're sort of hoping for the best that it will come out alright. I rather make a chicken curry or a spaghetti bolognese because that way I can taste it and know what it needs as I go along.