Martina O'Brien

Martina O’Brien

Article by Alan Trout

Martina Mary O’Brien rode under National Hunt rules for the first half of the 1980s and won two races. A conditional with former jump jockey Jimmy Fox, she had her first start at Warwick on February 24, 1983, when Tina’s Magic was a faller at the third flight in the Studley Conditional jockeys’ Novices’ Handicap Hurdle.

It was not until May 7, 1984 at Fontwell Park that she passed the winning post in front when The Vinegar Man took the lead at the third last flight and came clear to land the Fittleworth Selling Handicap Hurdle by seven lengths. Martina regularly rode the 12-year-old and had finished second on him on their last two starts. Next time out they again finished second, this time at Newton Abbot in May, beaten six lengths. 

Martina had a few rides the following season, all of them on The Vinegar Man. Their first effort saw the veteran leading from the third flight and coming home eight lengths clear to win the Oving Conditional Jockeys’ Selling Handicap Hurdle back at Fontwell on September 4. They had five more outings during the campaign, finishing second once.

Both horse and jockey bowed out at Fontwell on September 11, 1985 when, having led at the second last flight, The Vinegar Man finished a creditable third at the age of 14 in the Peacock Quality Foods Selling Hurdle.