Conor O'Dwyer
Dual Cheltenham Gold Cup and Champion Hurdle-winning jockey Conor O’Dwyer was one of the leading Irish National Hunt riders from the late-1980s until his retirement at the age of 41 in March, 2008. He is now a successful trainer.
Dual Cheltenham Gold Cup and Champion Hurdle-winning jockey Conor O’Dwyer was one of the leading Irish National Hunt riders from the late-1980s until his retirement at the age of 41 in March, 2008. He is now a successful trainer.
Conor O’Dwyer was born in County Wexford on April 8, 1966. He went to the Racing Apprentice Centre in Kildare, aged 14. He was then apprenticed to Frank Oakes on the Flat before joining Francis Flood as a conditional jockey. He rode his first winner on Gayfield at Limerick in 1983. He was champion conditional jockey in 1985 with 15 winners.
Conor O’Dwyer was born in County Wexford on April 8, 1966. He went to the Racing Apprentice Centre in Kildare, aged 14. He was then apprenticed to Frank Oakes on the Flat before joining Francis Flood as a conditional jockey. He rode his first winner on Gayfield at Limerick in 1983. He was champion conditional jockey in 1985 with 15 winners.
Conor registered his first major success in Britain on Imperial Call in the 1996 Cheltenham Gold Cup. He won back-to-back renewals of the Champion Hurdle in 2004 and 2005 on Hardy Eustace, then achieved a second Gold Cup triumph on War Of Attrition.
Conor registered his first major success in Britain on Imperial Call in the 1996 Cheltenham Gold Cup. He won back-to-back renewals of the Champion Hurdle in 2004 and 2005 on Hardy Eustace, then achieved a second Gold Cup triumph on War Of Attrition.
He was twice runner-up for the Irish jump jockeys’ title, in 1995-96 (75 winners) and 1997-98 (64 winners). He rode as first jockey for Michael O’Leary’s Gigginstown operation for the final six years of his riding career.
He was twice runner-up for the Irish jump jockeys’ title, in 1995-96 (75 winners) and 1997-98 (64 winners). He rode as first jockey for Michael O’Leary’s Gigginstown operation for the final six years of his riding career.
He was still riding when he enjoyed his first training success with Hangover at Punchestown in January, 2008. He brought his riding career to a glorious end, signing off with a winner on the Davy Fitzgerald-trained Mister Top Notch on March 24, 1998, at the Fairyhouse Easter Festival.
He was still riding when he enjoyed his first training success with Hangover at Punchestown in January, 2008. He brought his riding career to a glorious end, signing off with a winner on the Davy Fitzgerald-trained Mister Top Notch on March 24, 1998, at the Fairyhouse Easter Festival.
Conor’s other major winners included:
Conor’s other major winners included:
Imperial Call (1996 Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup, 1997 Ericsson Chase)
Imperial Call (1996 Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup, 1997 Ericsson Chase)
Native Upmanship (1999 Denny Gold Medal Chase, 2000 Powers Gold Cup, 2000 & 2002 John Durkan Memorial Chase,
Native Upmanship (1999 Denny Gold Medal Chase, 2000 Powers Gold Cup, 2000 & 2002 John Durkan Memorial Chase,
2002 & 2003 Melling Chase)
2002 & 2003 Melling Chase)
Hardy Eustace (2004 Euro Oil Champion Hurdle, 2007 AIG Europe Champion Hurdle)
Hardy Eustace (2004 Euro Oil Champion Hurdle, 2007 AIG Europe Champion Hurdle)
War Of Attrition (2005 Swordlestown Cup Novice Chase, 2006 Guinness Gold Cup)
War Of Attrition (2005 Swordlestown Cup Novice Chase, 2006 Guinness Gold Cup)
Redundant Pal ((1990 Ladbroke Hurdle)
Redundant Pal ((1990 Ladbroke Hurdle)
Strong Platinum (1995 Powers Gold Cup)
Strong Platinum (1995 Powers Gold Cup)
Grimes (1997 Champion Four Year Old Hurdle, 2001 Galway Plate)
Grimes (1997 Champion Four Year Old Hurdle, 2001 Galway Plate)
Graphic Equaliser (1998 Pierse Hurdle)
Graphic Equaliser (1998 Pierse Hurdle)
Opera Hat (1998 Melling Chase)
Opera Hat (1998 Melling Chase)
Jeffell (1998 Victor Chandler Handicap Chase)
Jeffell (1998 Victor Chandler Handicap Chase)
Rince Ri (1999 Ericsson Chase)
Rince Ri (1999 Ericsson Chase)