James O'Brien
1878 - 1956
1878 - 1956
Born in Ireland in 1878, National Hunt jockey James O’Brien rode several big race winners in Britain during the first decade of the 20th century and was runner-up in the 1907 National Hunt Jockeys’ Championship.
Born in Ireland in 1878, National Hunt jockey James O’Brien rode several big race winners in Britain during the first decade of the 20th century and was runner-up in the 1907 National Hunt Jockeys’ Championship.
James had had his first ride in Britain on Sweet Charlotte in the Trafford Park Handicap Chase at Manchester on February 16, 1897, finishing second. He also finished second in that year’s Great Metropolitan Chase at Gatwick on the future Grand National hero Drogheda.
James had had his first ride in Britain on Sweet Charlotte in the Trafford Park Handicap Chase at Manchester on February 16, 1897, finishing second. He also finished second in that year’s Great Metropolitan Chase at Gatwick on the future Grand National hero Drogheda.
It was Sweet Charlotte who gave James his first British winner when landing the Stewards’ Handicap Chase at Kempton Park on December 2, 1897. Two years later, James rode her to finish third in the 1899 Irish Grand National.
It was Sweet Charlotte who gave James his first British winner when landing the Stewards’ Handicap Chase at Kempton Park on December 2, 1897. Two years later, James rode her to finish third in the 1899 Irish Grand National.
James was particularly effective over Aintree’s Grand National fences, winning the Altcar Four-Year-Old Chase three times in four years on Pawnbroker (1899), Dathi (1901) and Clonard (1902). He finished second three times in the Champion Chase, in 1899 on Sweet Charlotte, 1902 on Dathi, and 1907 on Old Fairyhouse.
James was particularly effective over Aintree’s Grand National fences, winning the Altcar Four-Year-Old Chase three times in four years on Pawnbroker (1899), Dathi (1901) and Clonard (1902). He finished second three times in the Champion Chase, in 1899 on Sweet Charlotte, 1902 on Dathi, and 1907 on Old Fairyhouse.
Having moved to England, from 1903 he combined riding with training a string of jumpers based at Sparsholt, in Hampshire.
Having moved to England, from 1903 he combined riding with training a string of jumpers based at Sparsholt, in Hampshire.
The best horse he rode was Springbok, on whom he won the 1907 Grand Sefton Chase. Based on that performance and two subsequent victories in the Nottingham Handicap Chase in January and the Stand Chase at Kempton in February, James and Springbok were sent off as 8-1 joint second favourites the 1908 Grand National, in which they finished fifth.
The best horse he rode was Springbok, on whom he won the 1907 Grand Sefton Chase. Based on that performance and two subsequent victories in the Nottingham Handicap Chase in January and the Stand Chase at Kempton in February, James and Springbok were sent off as 8-1 joint second favourites the 1908 Grand National, in which they finished fifth.
James rode in four Grand Nationals altogether, his mounts being:
James rode in four Grand Nationals altogether, his mounts being:
1901: Pawnbroker (16-1), pulled up
1901: Pawnbroker (16-1), pulled up
1903: Pawnbroker (100-1), sixth
1903: Pawnbroker (100-1), sixth
1905: Seahorse II (20-1), pulled up
1905: Seahorse II (20-1), pulled up
1908: Springbok (8-1), fifth
1908: Springbok (8-1), fifth
He rode a total of 166 winners over jumps in Britain, his best year being in 1907 with a score of 55, placing him second in the NH jockeys’ table, four behind Tich Mason. He also gained two major successes that year, namely Manchester’s Jubilee Hurdle and the inaugural running of Sandown’s Imperial Cup, both of them on Carnegie.
He rode a total of 166 winners over jumps in Britain, his best year being in 1907 with a score of 55, placing him second in the NH jockeys’ table, four behind Tich Mason. He also gained two major successes that year, namely Manchester’s Jubilee Hurdle and the inaugural running of Sandown’s Imperial Cup, both of them on Carnegie.
A horse named Weather Eye gave James his last riding success when winning the Middlesex Handicap Chase at Kempton Park on December 5, 1908. He rode for the final time at Hurst Park on March 9, 1909, finishing sixth of seven on his old ally Springbok in the Bushey Handicap Chase.
A horse named Weather Eye gave James his last riding success when winning the Middlesex Handicap Chase at Kempton Park on December 5, 1908. He rode for the final time at Hurst Park on March 9, 1909, finishing sixth of seven on his old ally Springbok in the Bushey Handicap Chase.
Having retired from the saddle, James left racing altogether and returned to Ireland where he ran a successful business in Mitchelstown, Co. Cork. He died in 1956.
Having retired from the saddle, James left racing altogether and returned to Ireland where he ran a successful business in Mitchelstown, Co. Cork. He died in 1956.
Biggest wins
Biggest wins
1899: Altcar Four-Year-Old Chase – Pawnbroker
1899: Altcar Four-Year-Old Chase – Pawnbroker
1901: Altcar Four-Year-Old Chase – Dathi
1901: Altcar Four-Year-Old Chase – Dathi
1902: Altcar Four-Year-Old Chase – Clonard
1902: Altcar Four-Year-Old Chase – Clonard
1907: Jubilee Hurdle – Carnegie
1907: Jubilee Hurdle – Carnegie
1907: Imperial Cup – Carnegie
1907: Imperial Cup – Carnegie
1907: Grand Sefton Chase – Springbok
1907: Grand Sefton Chase – Springbok