Denis O'Regan
Denis O'Regan was born on 24 March 1982 in Youghal, a seaside resort town in County Cork, Ireland, and quickly signalled his promise as a top jockey when winning the Hewlett-Packard Galway Plate aboard trainer Dermot Weld's Ansar on Wednesday July 27, 2005.
Denis O'Regan was born on 24 March 1982 in Youghal, a seaside resort town in County Cork, Ireland, and quickly signalled his promise as a top jockey when winning the Hewlett-Packard Galway Plate aboard trainer Dermot Weld's Ansar on Wednesday July 27, 2005.
The diminutive horse had been set to carry top weight of 12 stone and Weld doubted that such a small animal could successfully carry such a burden: he was wrong – Denis, going the shortest way round, came home the seven length winner.
The diminutive horse had been set to carry top weight of 12 stone and Weld doubted that such a small animal could successfully carry such a burden: he was wrong – Denis, going the shortest way round, came home the seven length winner.
Denis was still at primary school when his father, also named Denis, bought him his first pony. From there, Denis tried his hand at pony racing, but seemed to have better luck when taking part, and excelling, in drag hunts.
Denis was still at primary school when his father, also named Denis, bought him his first pony. From there, Denis tried his hand at pony racing, but seemed to have better luck when taking part, and excelling, in drag hunts.
He began spending time at the stables owned by his cousin, John Crowley, a talented ex-jockey once attached to Paddy Mullins' stables and now a promising trainer.
He began spending time at the stables owned by his cousin, John Crowley, a talented ex-jockey once attached to Paddy Mullins' stables and now a promising trainer.
Denis spent five years at boarding school then, aged 16, spent a summer with Francis Flood. The trainer provided Denis with his first ride in public. This came at Cork on the filly All Honey on 17 April 2001. She finished sixth, but Denis did not have to wait long for his first win. That came just three days later when All Honey was turned out again at Listowel, this time coming home in front.
Denis spent five years at boarding school then, aged 16, spent a summer with Francis Flood. The trainer provided Denis with his first ride in public. This came at Cork on the filly All Honey on 17 April 2001. She finished sixth, but Denis did not have to wait long for his first win. That came just three days later when All Honey was turned out again at Listowel, this time coming home in front.
He gained two other notable wins that season winning a bumper at Rosscommon on George's Girl and a Tramore hunter chase on Curfew Toils.
He gained two other notable wins that season winning a bumper at Rosscommon on George's Girl and a Tramore hunter chase on Curfew Toils.
The following season he registered a total of seven wins, two up on the last.
The following season he registered a total of seven wins, two up on the last.
It was in late 2004 that Denis left Francis Flood to work for leading National Hunt trainer Noel Meade. It was a good move: he gained his first double partnering Burnt Out and Thecaulofesker to victory at Gowran Park in December 2004. He proved that it was no fluke when repeating the dose on Rainbow Dash and Rusty Jack for Tom McCourt at Fairyhouse the following month.
It was in late 2004 that Denis left Francis Flood to work for leading National Hunt trainer Noel Meade. It was a good move: he gained his first double partnering Burnt Out and Thecaulofesker to victory at Gowran Park in December 2004. He proved that it was no fluke when repeating the dose on Rainbow Dash and Rusty Jack for Tom McCourt at Fairyhouse the following month.
A fortnight after Ansar's 2005 Galway Plate victory, Denis began what would prove to be a profitable partnership with the Michael Hourigan-trained Church Island. A win in a moderate-looking beginners chase at Kilbeggan was followed the next month by an easy win in the Grade 3 Grimes Novice Chase at Tipperary.
A fortnight after Ansar's 2005 Galway Plate victory, Denis began what would prove to be a profitable partnership with the Michael Hourigan-trained Church Island. A win in a moderate-looking beginners chase at Kilbeggan was followed the next month by an easy win in the Grade 3 Grimes Novice Chase at Tipperary.
Three weeks later Denis gained his third success on the six-year-old at Clonmel, but the best was saved for Cheltenham the following month where the partnership impressively accounted for the highly-regarded Celtic Son by eight lengths.
Three weeks later Denis gained his third success on the six-year-old at Clonmel, but the best was saved for Cheltenham the following month where the partnership impressively accounted for the highly-regarded Celtic Son by eight lengths.
For the remainder of the 2005/6 season, Denis enjoyed consistent successes: notable wins came on Arch Rebel and Mossbank. The summer of 2006 saw him form successful partnerships with a number of useful sorts, gaining two wins apiece on More Rainbows and Foreign Seas.
For the remainder of the 2005/6 season, Denis enjoyed consistent successes: notable wins came on Arch Rebel and Mossbank. The summer of 2006 saw him form successful partnerships with a number of useful sorts, gaining two wins apiece on More Rainbows and Foreign Seas.
Denis achieved a notable milestone in late October 2006 when he rode his first treble at Wexford. Two of his winner’s were trained by Noel Meade, Hard Scuffle and Irish Nation, with the Philip Rothwell-trained Mission Possible completing a memorable day for the jockey.
Denis achieved a notable milestone in late October 2006 when he rode his first treble at Wexford. Two of his winner’s were trained by Noel Meade, Hard Scuffle and Irish Nation, with the Philip Rothwell-trained Mission Possible completing a memorable day for the jockey.
It was in the closing days of that season that Denis gained his first success at Grade 1 level, riding the Charlie Swan-trained Offshore Account to a somewhat fortuitous success in the Ellier Developments Hanover Quay Champion Novice Chase at the Punchestown Festival.
It was in the closing days of that season that Denis gained his first success at Grade 1 level, riding the Charlie Swan-trained Offshore Account to a somewhat fortuitous success in the Ellier Developments Hanover Quay Champion Novice Chase at the Punchestown Festival.
He finished the season with a best-ever total of 56 winners in Ireland.
He finished the season with a best-ever total of 56 winners in Ireland.
When Paddy Brennan, stable jockey to Howard Johnson, switched stables to ride for Nigel Twiston-Davies, it was to Denis that the Durham-based trainer turned.
When Paddy Brennan, stable jockey to Howard Johnson, switched stables to ride for Nigel Twiston-Davies, it was to Denis that the Durham-based trainer turned.
It was a massive move for Denis, but one that quickly paid off.
It was a massive move for Denis, but one that quickly paid off.
His first season in England proved to be hugely successful, with no small part being played by the remarkable Inglis Drever and the highly-talented Tidal Bay.
His first season in England proved to be hugely successful, with no small part being played by the remarkable Inglis Drever and the highly-talented Tidal Bay.
Inglis Drever was already established as a legend before Denis sat on him having already won the World Hurdle in 2005 and 2007, but Denis got an excellent tune out of the old war horse, winning the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury in December before gaining a memorable success in the World Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival the following March. That latter win completed a Cheltenham Festival double for the jockey as he had already ridden Tidal Bay to success in the Arkle Challenge Trophy Chase.
Inglis Drever was already established as a legend before Denis sat on him having already won the World Hurdle in 2005 and 2007, but Denis got an excellent tune out of the old war horse, winning the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury in December before gaining a memorable success in the World Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival the following March. That latter win completed a Cheltenham Festival double for the jockey as he had already ridden Tidal Bay to success in the Arkle Challenge Trophy Chase.
The following month Denis would again team up with Tidal Bay to gain yet another Grade 1 success, this time in the Maghull Novices' Chase at the Aintree Grand National meeting. He also managed to find the time to return to Ireland on a regular basis, riding no less than 28 winners during the season. It was an immensely successful first season back in England for Denis and it certainly established him as one of the fastest rising stars in the British weighing room.
The following month Denis would again team up with Tidal Bay to gain yet another Grade 1 success, this time in the Maghull Novices' Chase at the Aintree Grand National meeting. He also managed to find the time to return to Ireland on a regular basis, riding no less than 28 winners during the season. It was an immensely successful first season back in England for Denis and it certainly established him as one of the fastest rising stars in the British weighing room.
2008/9 saw Denis consolidate his position with Johnson, the highlights being his wins in the Becher Handicap Chase over the Aintree Grand National fences on the Dessie Hughes-trained Black Apalachi and his win on the Johnson-trained Killyglen in the Mildmay Novices' Chase at the Aintree Grand National meeting.
2008/9 saw Denis consolidate his position with Johnson, the highlights being his wins in the Becher Handicap Chase over the Aintree Grand National fences on the Dessie Hughes-trained Black Apalachi and his win on the Johnson-trained Killyglen in the Mildmay Novices' Chase at the Aintree Grand National meeting.
In April, (2010), Denis brought weeks of speculation to an end when he confirmed that he would be separating from Howard Johnson.
In April, (2010), Denis brought weeks of speculation to an end when he confirmed that he would be separating from Howard Johnson.
Denis had been appointed on a three-year-contract at the start of the 2007-2008 season but relations between the rider and Johnson had deteriorated. The trainer made his disappointment clear when Denis was found to have been 3lb overweight after finishing second aboard Arcalis in the 2010 County Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
Denis had been appointed on a three-year-contract at the start of the 2007-2008 season but relations between the rider and Johnson had deteriorated. The trainer made his disappointment clear when Denis was found to have been 3lb overweight after finishing second aboard Arcalis in the 2010 County Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
"The contract is not being renewed for next season. I've had a terrific three years and I've ridden so many good horses," Denis said at the time.said. "I've had a great time and I had the real pleasure of riding a champion in Inglis Drever. Now that chapter is closed in my career and I've got to move on. I've not made any decisions on my plans for next season. I'm going to see what's going to happen but I've just got to keep my head down and keep riding away as much as I can."
"The contract is not being renewed for next season. I've had a terrific three years and I've ridden so many good horses," Denis said at the time.said. "I've had a great time and I had the real pleasure of riding a champion in Inglis Drever. Now that chapter is closed in my career and I've got to move on. I've not made any decisions on my plans for next season. I'm going to see what's going to happen but I've just got to keep my head down and keep riding away as much as I can."
Paddy Brennan commented, "Howard is Howard – he's not going to change. He's a great trainer, but he likes it done his way. If Denis has gone then he should be very proud of his three years there."
Paddy Brennan commented, "Howard is Howard – he's not going to change. He's a great trainer, but he likes it done his way. If Denis has gone then he should be very proud of his three years there."
Denis persevered, and continued to impress those in the sport that mattered: his versatility was seen when he was appointed to ride Time for Rupert in 2011/12. The high class chaser had rather lost his way and raced in snatches albeit in top class company, but he was transformed by a change of pilot. Frontrunning and measuring every fence accurately he bounced back to his best form, and silenced some of the critics who felt Denis was something of a one trick pony, always holding up his mounts well in rear and trying to come with well timed late runs.
Denis persevered, and continued to impress those in the sport that mattered: his versatility was seen when he was appointed to ride Time for Rupert in 2011/12. The high class chaser had rather lost his way and raced in snatches albeit in top class company, but he was transformed by a change of pilot. Frontrunning and measuring every fence accurately he bounced back to his best form, and silenced some of the critics who felt Denis was something of a one trick pony, always holding up his mounts well in rear and trying to come with well timed late runs.
Denis's big race wins include:
Denis's big race wins include:
Haydock Grand National Trial (2012 Giles Cross)
Haydock Grand National Trial (2012 Giles Cross)
Eider Chase (2012 Portrait King)
Eider Chase (2012 Portrait King)
Mildmay Novices' Chase (Killyglen 2009)
Mildmay Novices' Chase (Killyglen 2009)
Becher Handicap Chase (Black Apalachi 2008)
Becher Handicap Chase (Black Apalachi 2008)
Maghull Novices' Chase (Tidal Bay 2008)
Maghull Novices' Chase (Tidal Bay 2008)
World Hurdle (Inglis Drever 2008)
World Hurdle (Inglis Drever 2008)
Arkle Challenge Trophy Chase (Tidal Bay 2008
Arkle Challenge Trophy Chase (Tidal Bay 2008
Boylesports.com Gold Cup (Tamarinbleu 2007
Boylesports.com Gold Cup (Tamarinbleu 2007
Long Distance Hurdle (Inglis Drever 2007)
Long Distance Hurdle (Inglis Drever 2007)
Ellier Developments Hanover Quay Champion Novice Chase (Offshore Account 2007)
Ellier Developments Hanover Quay Champion Novice Chase (Offshore Account 2007)
Grimes Novice Chase (Church Island 2005)
Grimes Novice Chase (Church Island 2005)
Galway Plate (Ansar 2005)
Galway Plate (Ansar 2005)
Denis had 13 winners as an amateur before turning professional at Downpatrick in September, 2003.
Denis had 13 winners as an amateur before turning professional at Downpatrick in September, 2003.
Like most jockeys, Denis is superstitious and always puts his left riding boot on first!
Like most jockeys, Denis is superstitious and always puts his left riding boot on first!
Had he not been a jockey, he would have become a city stockbroker. He cites Las Vegas as his favourite holiday destination. Denis is a big fan of Eminem.
Had he not been a jockey, he would have become a city stockbroker. He cites Las Vegas as his favourite holiday destination. Denis is a big fan of Eminem.
His father, Denis, runs the Lombards Pub in Youghal in Co. Cork
His father, Denis, runs the Lombards Pub in Youghal in Co. Cork