Ted Walsh apologises after criticism from Offaly Junior Minister

Horse racing trainer and RTÉ pundit Ted Walsh has apologised for saying "a hiding wouldn't be good enough" for a horse that refused a jump at Punchestown, throwing a jockey to the ground in the process.

The televised remarks by Mr Walsh came in for criticism on social media, including from Offaly Green Party Junior Minister Pippa Hackett who found them "completely unacceptable."

In a tweet on Monday, Minister Hackett shared a clip of the comments in question and wrote: "This is completely unacceptable commentary from Ted Walsh on RTE Sport

"I don't think anyone in racing or bloodstock could condone the use of this sort of language in relation to a horse. It does nothing for Irish racing."

During the commentary on Saturday, Mr Walsh was audibly irritated with Transprint, the horse which refused to make a jump, causing the jockey to fall, in the three mile Cross Country Steeplechase.

"He's a dirty rotten 'so and so' to refuse that... I'll tell you one thing, a hiding wouldn't be good enough for him," Mr Walsh said during a replay of the incident.

When another replay was shown, he said: "Look at him; look at the dirty rotten so and so. He had no intention (of jumping it) and he gave (the jockey) a horrible fall.

"It's a wonder he didn't follow (the jockey) over and stand on him. He's a chicken-hearted so and so, isn't he, that horse."

Mr Walsh this week issued an apology for the remarks, saying: "On RTÉ One's Racing from Punchestown broadcast last Saturday, when analysing a horse's refusal to jump an obstacle which led to a young man suffering a heavy fall, I said that 'a hiding wouldn't be good enough for him'.

"This was an unfortunate turn of phrase and in no way reflects my views on the welfare of animals.

"I would never condone the use of physical force on any animal, and I sincerely apologise for any offence that my words caused," his statement concluded.