David O'Meara
David O'Meara was no overnight sensation: indeed, he didn't ride his first winner until he was 22.
David O'Meara was no overnight sensation: indeed, he didn't ride his first winner until he was 22.
He had started out in his native Ireland riding point-to-pointers for Michael Hourigan while attending Limerick University and was in his fourth and final year studying for a science degree when he elected to go full-time into racing, first with trainer Philip Hobbs.
He had started out in his native Ireland riding point-to-pointers for Michael Hourigan while attending Limerick University and was in his fourth and final year studying for a science degree when he elected to go full-time into racing, first with trainer Philip Hobbs.
Riding Bell's Life, David won the 2000 Liverpool Foxhunters' on his first ride over the course.
Riding Bell's Life, David won the 2000 Liverpool Foxhunters' on his first ride over the course.
He turned professional the next year and, moving north, joined the Easterby stable alongside Russ Garrity.
He turned professional the next year and, moving north, joined the Easterby stable alongside Russ Garrity.
His favourite horse was the grey Turgenev, which he rode in 24 races, winning three times.
His favourite horse was the grey Turgenev, which he rode in 24 races, winning three times.
David had five rides in the Grand National and completed every time.
David had five rides in the Grand National and completed every time.
He rode about 150 winners.
He rode about 150 winners.
In August, 2008, he quit to build a livery yard in tandem with former weighing-room colleague Anthony Ross, who had quit riding a year earlier.
In August, 2008, he quit to build a livery yard in tandem with former weighing-room colleague Anthony Ross, who had quit riding a year earlier.
Operating from a yard at Great Habton, next door to the Easterby stable, the two partners specialised in breaking and pre-training horses.
Operating from a yard at Great Habton, next door to the Easterby stable, the two partners specialised in breaking and pre-training horses.
David married Sarah Burke at Harome, North Yorkshire, on September 6.
David married Sarah Burke at Harome, North Yorkshire, on September 6.