Ted Walsh has described coaching Any Second Now as “a privilege” after the stalwart of the Irish staying chasing scene introduced the curtain down on his profession at Fairyhouse on Monday.
Owned by JP McManus, the 13-year-old was bidding to develop into the primary teenager since Overshadow in 1953 to win the Irish Grand Nationwide, ending runner-up for the second successive yr, this time behind Rebecca Curtis’ Haiti Couleurs – a sometimes courageous effort which might finally be his last outing.
“He was an important horse to have and a privilege to have him,” stated Walsh.
“We’ve had him since he was a four-year-old, he’s been right here for 9 seasons and we’ve had some nice days with him.
Derek O’Connor steered Any Second Now to victory on the Cheltenham Competition (Paul Harding/PA)
“He was only a pleasure to be concerned with and I get very connected to them. He was right here for a very long time and I respect every part he has performed for me. He has all the time run his coronary heart out and he was good at Fairyhouse on Monday, as he was 12 months in the past – he simply met a greater horse on the day.”
A winner of the Kim Muir on the Cheltenham Competition in 2019, he additionally ran within the Grand Nationwide at Aintree three years operating, ending second in 2021 and once more making the rostrum when third a yr later.
“We went to Liverpool for the Grand Nationwide on three events, twice to Cheltenham, ran in three Irish Nationals and we received a Cheltenham Competition win out of him,” added Walsh.
“When he gained the Moscow Flyer over hurdles, with the dimensions of him and the scope he had, you knew he would make a pleasant chaser and he did that and he turned an excellent horse and a really sound horse. We had some terrific days.
Any Second Now and Mark Walsh pictured in full flight (Brian Lawless/PA)
“The one time I believe he was unfortunate was in his first Grand Nationwide which Rachael (Blackmore) gained on Henry de Bromhead’s horse (Minella Instances). He received very badly baulked and misplaced loads of floor and that’s most likely the one day when you possibly can suppose if the ball had bounced proper he may need gained.”
Any Second Now will now be a part of fellow McManus-owned luminaries on the proprietor’s Martinstown Stud in retirement, with Walsh delighted he’ll head off to what he termed a “five-star resort” for horses.
“I simply all the time preferred every part about Any Second Now and he had an excellent proprietor in JP, you possibly can do no matter you preferred with him,” continued Walsh.
“He would have had an excellent house right here, however he’s going to a five-star resort at Martinstown.
“I wouldn’t thoughts taking place there myself in retirement and JP has an attractive arrange and he’s off to The Savoy or The Ritz for horses.”
Any Second Now retires a legend at 13
His courageous second right now was simply considered one of a number of occasions he has been positioned in Nationals!
Horses like him are why we love bounce racing ♥️ pic.twitter.com/cCU1w0ibMv
— irishracing.com (@irishracing) April 21, 2025
Walsh additionally reserved reward for Mark Walsh – McManus’ retained jockey in Eire – who partnered Any Second Now for almost all of his 41-race profession.
“One of many causes he lasted so lengthy is that Mark rode him practically on a regular basis and rode him so nicely,” stated Walsh.
“He knew when it wasn’t taking place for him and by no means abused him. He didn’t give him any onerous races to be third or fourth when he didn’t must, he all the time considered the following day and the larger image and the horse thrived for that, it was a giant factor.”
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