Leading owner Andy Stewart paid tribute to Ruby Walsh after it emerged the Irish jockey would no longer be formally attached to Paul Nicholls' Somerset stable.
Walsh has worn Stewart's red, white and black silks to win some of the biggest prizes in the game, most famously four Ladbrokes World Hurdles at Cheltenham on Big Buck's.
His absence means Daryl Jacob will assume the number one position at Nicholls' powerful Ditcheat yard.
However, Stewart totally agrees with Walsh's decision that, with a young family, he needs to spend more time in Ireland.
"Ruby called me yesterday and told me of his decision and I fully understand it," said Stewart.
"I told him he was doing the right thing. I was much too busy working when my kids were growing up and it is one thing I regret.
"He's got a wife and two lovely kids that he never sees, he sees more of AP McCoy's family than his own!
"It doesn't mean he'll never ride for me again, just not at the smaller tracks midweek."
With Big Buck's sidelined for the second half of last season and at least the first half of next, Stewart is in no rush to confirm who will ride the great staying hurdler.
"When it comes to Big Buck's in March he needs to get there first," said Stewart.
"He'll either have one prep race or go straight there (to Cheltenham) and when it comes to it we'll sit down with Paul and decide.
"I certainly won't mind running two in the race but it's unlikely that Celestial Halo could trouble Big Buck's, even at 90%.
"I wouldn't go as far as to say Big Buck's is definitely Daryl's ride, we'll do what is best for both horses, but it is not something you would decide in May.
"It's been a real pleasure to have had Ruby riding my horses and 2008 was a magical year.
"Oslot won the Galway Plate after JP McManus told me English horses and especially five-year-olds couldn't win it.
"Gwanako won the Topham, Nycteos won the Lanzarote Hurdle and then Big Buck's won the Grade Two novice chase at Aintree. Of course the following year Ruby was injured, Sam Thomas was unseated from him in the Hennessy when he looked like winning and the rest is history.
"This is a great opportunity for Daryl. Ruby is one of the finest horsemen of all time but Daryl has proved himself as a very good jockey.
"Ruby has decided that family comes first and that is the correct decision and let's not forget in Ireland Willie Mullins is a country mile ahead of the opposition."
Walsh said: "Paul (Nicholls) has never been anything but fair and honest since our association began and has been responsible for some of the most amazing days of my life.
"In my eyes there was never going to be an easy or right time to make the decision to leave Paul's yard, and all it entails, behind me.
"Ditcheat is a much bigger place now than when I started there.
"While Kauto Star and Denman are gone, the rebuilding process is well advanced and Silviniaco Conti, Al Ferof, Big Buck's and Zarkandar are hard horses to give away the ride on.
"However, at 34 years of age, I no longer feel I can give 100% to two yards – and being a bit-part player will only hinder both."
Nicholls said: "Myself and Ruby have been chatting for the past couple of months. It was clear that the constant travelling to and from Ireland, with his wife Gillian and the girls at home, was becoming a bit of a grind."
