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County Galway-born conditional jockey Finian O’Toole rode 53 winners in Britain before his career was cut short by injury.
County Galway-born conditional jockey Finian O’Toole rode 53 winners in Britain before his career was cut short by injury.
He spent four years with trainer Micky Hammond, who supplied 36 of Finian’s winners and was an integral part of his career. His best day in the saddle was when landing a treble at Sedgefield (below) on February 25, 2016. He won all three chases on the card on Hammond-trained horses Oscar O’Scar, Verko and Roxyfet.
He spent four years with trainer Micky Hammond, who supplied 36 of Finian’s winners and was an integral part of his career. His best day in the saddle was when landing a treble at Sedgefield (below) on February 25, 2016. He won all three chases on the card on Hammond-trained horses Oscar O’Scar, Verko and Roxyfet.
On November 10, 2018, Finian suffered a bad fall in a hurdle race at Kelso. His mount One Night In Milan fell four out, bringing down Conor O’Farrell’s mount King Leon, who collided with him. Finian was airlifted to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary and diagnosed with a broken pelvis.
On November 10, 2018, Finian suffered a bad fall in a hurdle race at Kelso. His mount One Night In Milan fell four out, bringing down Conor O’Farrell’s mount King Leon, who collided with him. Finian was airlifted to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary and diagnosed with a broken pelvis.
He spent time at the Injured Jockey Fund’s facility at Jack Berry House working on his recovery but always knew that it was going to be a struggle. That was confirmed when he met the BHA’s chief medical adviser, Dr Jerry Hill.
He spent time at the Injured Jockey Fund’s facility at Jack Berry House working on his recovery but always knew that it was going to be a struggle. That was confirmed when he met the BHA’s chief medical adviser, Dr Jerry Hill.
Having been unable to recover fully from the effects of the fall, he reluctantly announced his retirement in September 2019.
Having been unable to recover fully from the effects of the fall, he reluctantly announced his retirement in September 2019.
Taken from the Racing Post...
Taken from the Racing Post...
A week to remember for Micky Hammond's Middleham yard was capped by conditional rider Finian O'Toole's treble at Sedgefield.
A week to remember for Micky Hammond's Middleham yard was capped by conditional rider Finian O'Toole's treble at Sedgefield.
The 24-year-old has not looked back since joining the stable from Malton-based Malcolm Jefferson and his wins aboard Oscar O'Scar, Verko and Roxyfet demonstrated his burgeoning reputation over steeplechase fences.
The 24-year-old has not looked back since joining the stable from Malton-based Malcolm Jefferson and his wins aboard Oscar O'Scar, Verko and Roxyfet demonstrated his burgeoning reputation over steeplechase fences.
Like award-winning assistant trainer Gemma Hogg, County Galway-born O'Toole does not hail from a racing family.
Like award-winning assistant trainer Gemma Hogg, County Galway-born O'Toole does not hail from a racing family.
"I was an amateur rider in Ireland and just kept tipping away," he told The Yorkshire Post.
"I was an amateur rider in Ireland and just kept tipping away," he told The Yorkshire Post.
"I was coming to 21 and nothing was happening. I decided to pull my finger out, get my weight in check, give it a proper go and see I can make it. I'm quite tall.
"I was coming to 21 and nothing was happening. I decided to pull my finger out, get my weight in check, give it a proper go and see I can make it. I'm quite tall.
"I'm 5ft 11ins so I do lots of running and go the gym. I have to keep telling myself that I am an athlete.
"I'm 5ft 11ins so I do lots of running and go the gym. I have to keep telling myself that I am an athlete.
"It's a positive yard and going well in every respect."
"It's a positive yard and going well in every respect."
"I had four good rides at Sedgefield and was obviously delighted to get one winner on the board. The next thing, I'm riding my first double.
"I had four good rides at Sedgefield and was obviously delighted to get one winner on the board. The next thing, I'm riding my first double.
"And then a treble - it's unbelievable."
"And then a treble - it's unbelievable."
Having never ridden a winner in the UK prior to this season, O'Toole now has 12 successes to his name and his hungry for more.
Having never ridden a winner in the UK prior to this season, O'Toole now has 12 successes to his name and his hungry for more.
He also draws particular inspiration from Ireland's champion jockey Davy Russell who served his apprenticeship at the former West Witton yard of Ferdy Murphy before returning to the Emerald Isle.
He also draws particular inspiration from Ireland's champion jockey Davy Russell who served his apprenticeship at the former West Witton yard of Ferdy Murphy before returning to the Emerald Isle.
Russell won the 2014 Gold Cup on Lord Windermere and O'Toole added: "I like the way he rides over a fence."
Russell won the 2014 Gold Cup on Lord Windermere and O'Toole added: "I like the way he rides over a fence."
The jockey's Sedgefield success caught the eye of the aforementioned Hogg who said: "Finian is a super chase jockey.
The jockey's Sedgefield success caught the eye of the aforementioned Hogg who said: "Finian is a super chase jockey.
"Our team of staff and horses are super, and we couldn't be prouder of them all."
"Our team of staff and horses are super, and we couldn't be prouder of them all."
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