Davy Russell: A life in the saddle

On the eve of the 2017 Galway Festival, Mick Fitzgerald heads to Youghal, County Cork, to speak in depth with one of the most charismatic members of the weighing room either side of the Irish Sea - the much-loved Davy Russell. Happy and content with his young family and riding at the top of his game, Davy Russell shows us behind the scenes at home - including the nearby beach at Youghal where his riding journey began - and goes through the highs and lows of a highly decorated career in the saddle. From making his name in local point-to-points to taking the plunge and heading to the yard of Ferdy Murphy in the north of England as a youngster, Russell recounts his formative days before his big break in 2007 and the link-up with the Irish National Hunt racing's rising power, Michael O'Leary's Gigginstown House Stud. From the numerous Grade 1 winners in the role to the highly-publicised split - as well as taking us inside the rider's mind for the winning Cheltenham Gold Cup ride aboard Lord Windermere in 2014 - Davy recounts all that's gone and hints at what is to come in a fascinating interview. Most imminently, the special charms and the unique test of the Galway Festival... ------------------- Enjoy the best of At The Races on our free, award-winning app: iPhone: http://apple.co/1I4NxAV Android: http://bit.ly/1VPIcEz facebook.com/AtTheRaces twitter.com/AtTheRaces instagram.com/at_the_races