Jerry O'Dwyer
Flat jockey Jeremiah Michael ‘Jerry’ O’Dwyer was born in Cappowhite, Co. Tipperary on June 6, 1981. He graduated from RACE (Racing Academy & Centre of Education) in 1998.
Flat jockey Jeremiah Michael ‘Jerry’ O’Dwyer was born in Cappowhite, Co. Tipperary on June 6, 1981. He graduated from RACE (Racing Academy & Centre of Education) in 1998.
Having served his apprenticeship with Michael Halford in County Kildare, during which he rode the winner of the Irish Cambridgeshire, Jerry arrived in Britain as a 5lb claimer in 2007 when joining the Newmarket yard of Mick Quinlan, and proceeded to ride out his allowance without ever finding a good horse to advertise his abilities.
Having served his apprenticeship with Michael Halford in County Kildare, during which he rode the winner of the Irish Cambridgeshire, Jerry arrived in Britain as a 5lb claimer in 2007 when joining the Newmarket yard of Mick Quinlan, and proceeded to ride out his allowance without ever finding a good horse to advertise his abilities.
His biggest win came aboard the John Ryan-trained Ocean’s Minstrel in the Listed Surrey Stakes at Epsom on Oaks Day 2009. However, the best horse he rode was Golden Apples, on whom he had finished runner-up on her debut at Tipperary in 2001 and who later went on to become a champion in America.
His biggest win came aboard the John Ryan-trained Ocean’s Minstrel in the Listed Surrey Stakes at Epsom on Oaks Day 2009. However, the best horse he rode was Golden Apples, on whom he had finished runner-up on her debut at Tipperary in 2001 and who later went on to become a champion in America.
Although Jerry’s career never graduated above that of journeyman status, his weighing room colleagues admired and respected the hard graft he put in, despite battling with the scales. Acknowledged as one of the most popular jockeys in the weighing room in Britain, he enjoyed his most successful campaign in 2009, riding 36 winners from 404 rides.
Although Jerry’s career never graduated above that of journeyman status, his weighing room colleagues admired and respected the hard graft he put in, despite battling with the scales. Acknowledged as one of the most popular jockeys in the weighing room in Britain, he enjoyed his most successful campaign in 2009, riding 36 winners from 404 rides.
However, that was as good as it got. He rode just four winners from 103 mounts the following year. The last of those was on the Karen George-trained Belle Park in a 0-55 handicap at Chepstow on August 12, 2010. Two weeks later, on August 26, he had his final ride in Britain on Bookiebasher Babe for Mick Quinn in a Lingfield claimer, finishing third.
However, that was as good as it got. He rode just four winners from 103 mounts the following year. The last of those was on the Karen George-trained Belle Park in a 0-55 handicap at Chepstow on August 12, 2010. Two weeks later, on August 26, he had his final ride in Britain on Bookiebasher Babe for Mick Quinn in a Lingfield claimer, finishing third.
Frustrated by the lack of opportunities, which had included travelling to Scandinavia some weekends in the quest for mounts, combined with continuing weight problems, Jerry crossed the Atlantic in September 2010 to try his luck as a work rider after obtaining a 90-day visa. While in the US, Jerry helped in the preparation of Blame, who beat Zenyatta in a pulsating finish to that year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic at Churchill Downs.
Frustrated by the lack of opportunities, which had included travelling to Scandinavia some weekends in the quest for mounts, combined with continuing weight problems, Jerry crossed the Atlantic in September 2010 to try his luck as a work rider after obtaining a 90-day visa. While in the US, Jerry helped in the preparation of Blame, who beat Zenyatta in a pulsating finish to that year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic at Churchill Downs.
Having decided his future lay as an exercise rider and with his services in demand at Keeneland, Jerry was granted a five-year work visa in December 2010 by the authorities in the US where he set up his new home.
Having decided his future lay as an exercise rider and with his services in demand at Keeneland, Jerry was granted a five-year work visa in December 2010 by the authorities in the US where he set up his new home.
In January 2011, Jerry received a setback when he was banned for 18 months by the British Horseracing Authority over his riding of Sabre Light, who had finished fifth in a Lingfield claimer on December 17, 2008. The BHA found him guilty of deliberately failing to ride the six-year-old gelding on his merits.
In January 2011, Jerry received a setback when he was banned for 18 months by the British Horseracing Authority over his riding of Sabre Light, who had finished fifth in a Lingfield claimer on December 17, 2008. The BHA found him guilty of deliberately failing to ride the six-year-old gelding on his merits.
He is now a successful racehorse trainer in America.
He is now a successful racehorse trainer in America.