Bryan O'Connor
Christened Florence Christopher O’Connor but more generally known as Bryan O’Connor, he rode with success under National Hunt rules in the late 1940s and early 50s before dying, aged 31, as the result of a fall at Wincanton in October 1952.
Christened Florence Christopher O’Connor but more generally known as Bryan O’Connor, he rode with success under National Hunt rules in the late 1940s and early 50s before dying, aged 31, as the result of a fall at Wincanton in October 1952.
He gained two of his earliest wins on the Ken Bailey-trained chaser Tullycahan with back-to-back victories at Folkestone and Wye in September 1947. He posted scores of nine winners for the 1948/49 season and seven in 1949/50. He had his sole Grand National ride in 1950 on Tommy Traddles, only to fall at the first fence.
He gained two of his earliest wins on the Ken Bailey-trained chaser Tullycahan with back-to-back victories at Folkestone and Wye in September 1947. He posted scores of nine winners for the 1948/49 season and seven in 1949/50. He had his sole Grand National ride in 1950 on Tommy Traddles, only to fall at the first fence.
He enjoyed his best season in 1951/52 when riding 11 winners, a total enhanced by a lucrative end to the campaign when he rode six winners within a month, three each on chasers Royal Jupiter and Rum Chicken. He registered doubles on those two horses on both days of Buckfastleigh’s Whitsun meeting.
He enjoyed his best season in 1951/52 when riding 11 winners, a total enhanced by a lucrative end to the campaign when he rode six winners within a month, three each on chasers Royal Jupiter and Rum Chicken. He registered doubles on those two horses on both days of Buckfastleigh’s Whitsun meeting.
He got off the mark for the next season when winning a Newton Abbot handicap chase on Gay Fox on October 4, 1952. That proved to be his last winner, for he was dead before the end of that month. He fractured his skull in a fall from Rum Chicken at Wincanton on October 23 and died three days later.
He got off the mark for the next season when winning a Newton Abbot handicap chase on Gay Fox on October 4, 1952. That proved to be his last winner, for he was dead before the end of that month. He fractured his skull in a fall from Rum Chicken at Wincanton on October 23 and died three days later.
Bryan O’Connor on Cri d’Amour (right) jumps fractionally behind the leader Button Boy
Bryan O’Connor on Cri d’Amour (right) jumps fractionally behind the leader Button Boy
(American jockey Danny Marzani) in division two of the Combermere Hurdle at Windsor on February 3, 1950.
(American jockey Danny Marzani) in division two of the Combermere Hurdle at Windsor on February 3, 1950.
Cri d’Amour was eventually pulled up, while Button Boy finished third.
Cri d’Amour was eventually pulled up, while Button Boy finished third.