Darren O'Sullivan
Article by Chris Pitt
Article by Chris Pitt
Born in Newham, East London, jump jockey Darren O’Sullivan was the nephew of trainer Roland O’Sullivan.
Born in Newham, East London, jump jockey Darren O’Sullivan was the nephew of trainer Roland O’Sullivan.
Darren began his career as an amateur rider and then a conditional with his uncle before eventually riding out his claim. He achieved his biggest success on Karakter Reference, trained by Roland O’Sullivan, in the 1990 Charisma Gold Cup at Kempton. He won five races on Karakter Reference, including one at Cheltenham in October 1991, and also rode him in the Grand Steeple-Chase Des Flandres at Waregem, Belgium, in September 1992, refusing three out when still in third place.
Darren began his career as an amateur rider and then a conditional with his uncle before eventually riding out his claim. He achieved his biggest success on Karakter Reference, trained by Roland O’Sullivan, in the 1990 Charisma Gold Cup at Kempton. He won five races on Karakter Reference, including one at Cheltenham in October 1991, and also rode him in the Grand Steeple-Chase Des Flandres at Waregem, Belgium, in September 1992, refusing three out when still in third place.
He joined Richard Rowe as stable jockey in 1994 and rode many winners for him, registering totals of 18 in both the 1993/94 and 94/95 seasons, and a career best 23 in 95/96.
He joined Richard Rowe as stable jockey in 1994 and rode many winners for him, registering totals of 18 in both the 1993/94 and 94/95 seasons, and a career best 23 in 95/96.
His big race winners included two successive EBF NH Novices’ Hurdle Finals, on Sir Dante at Cheltenham on April 15, 1997, and on Montroe at Sandown on March 14, 1998. He finished second in the 1997 John Hughes (Topham) Trophy over the Grand National fences on Yeoman Warrior.
His big race winners included two successive EBF NH Novices’ Hurdle Finals, on Sir Dante at Cheltenham on April 15, 1997, and on Montroe at Sandown on March 14, 1998. He finished second in the 1997 John Hughes (Topham) Trophy over the Grand National fences on Yeoman Warrior.
Along with the successes, Darren endured more than his share of injuries. A shoulder injury rendered him out of action for the first part of the 1997/98 season. He returned to land the EBF Final on Montroe in March and then won a Huntingdon novices’ chase on Sir Dante.
Along with the successes, Darren endured more than his share of injuries. A shoulder injury rendered him out of action for the first part of the 1997/98 season. He returned to land the EBF Final on Montroe in March and then won a Huntingdon novices’ chase on Sir Dante.
His last winner was on Shariakanndi for trainer Jeff King in a Lingfield novices’ handicap hurdle on March 21, 1998. Three days later he was unseated from a horse named Florless Guy at the third last fence at Fontwell, leaving him with a serious wrist injury that needed 15 months of medical work.
His last winner was on Shariakanndi for trainer Jeff King in a Lingfield novices’ handicap hurdle on March 21, 1998. Three days later he was unseated from a horse named Florless Guy at the third last fence at Fontwell, leaving him with a serious wrist injury that needed 15 months of medical work.
His was pronounced fit to ride again in June 1999, but during his time off his weight had risen to over 12 stone. He got down to 11st 7lb but the wasting was too much and he decided to hang up his boots, aged 30. He had ridden 132 winners.
His was pronounced fit to ride again in June 1999, but during his time off his weight had risen to over 12 stone. He got down to 11st 7lb but the wasting was too much and he decided to hang up his boots, aged 30. He had ridden 132 winners.
He signed up for a computer course with JETS (the Jockeys’ Employment and Training Scheme) to further his hopes of staying in racing in another capacity.
He signed up for a computer course with JETS (the Jockeys’ Employment and Training Scheme) to further his hopes of staying in racing in another capacity.