Davy Russell© Photo Healy Racing
Davy Russell registered a first winner since April's Punchestown festival at Limerick on Thursday where the three-times Champion Jockey spoke about riding plans and next month's Hurling For Cancer Research match.
Russell replaced injured Jack Kennedy on Gordon Elliott's winner The Bosses Oscar at Limerick, which was just his seventh ride since Punchestown and, in his 25th season, was his first success this term.
Russell, who ventured to Nashville for three rides in May, said “I am enjoying it, Gordon (Elliott) wants me to ride, the owners want me to ride and I have no fear of retirement. I like riding and it (retirement) could be tomorrow or in two years' time.”
Regarding riding plans, he added “it is up to Gordon — he knows what suits me, I have no say in that and he is the man. I was over the moon to get the call to ride The Bosses Oscar.”
Russell is excited by the return of Hurling For Cancer Research next month with the event, which he established with trainer Jim Bolger in 2011, returning following an enforced two year break.
This year's contest will, for the first time, feature the current year's All-Ireland winning hurlers with Limerick and runner-ups Kilkenny represented in the celebrity match.
He says “I have to give the Kilkenny lads credit as they got in their cars and came to Naas last night (for promotion work) — TJ Reid, his brother Richie, Padraig Walsh and Conor Fogarty all came. It is a great sign of a team as they weren't afraid to come out having put everything on the line on Sunday.
“There are a couple of fancy names playing this year, there are plenty of Limerick hurlers and there have been many who have supported it the whole way through. Quality-wise it will be the best game we've had and while I can't guarantee the same type of match this year as previous years, we'll guarantee plenty of craic.”
Since 2011, the event has helped raise in excess of €1.1 million towards an overall investment from the Irish Cancer Society of €30 million in life-changing clinical trials and cutting-edge cancer research studies. Each year the Society funds over 100 cancer researchers across Ireland, thanks to the support of events such as Hurling For Cancer Research.
This year's match will take place at St Conleth’s Park Newbridge at 6pm on 16 August.
