Michael O'Brien

Michael O’Brien 

Article by Alan Trout

National Hunt jockey Michael O’Brien had a few rides in most seasons during the 1950s and finished with six wins. 

His initial ride had ended in a fall at Windsor on February 27, 1950, when parting company from Le Canard in the Curfew Novices’ Chase, the winner being Bryan Marshall on River Trout.   

His first victory came at Plumpton on November 12, 1951, when Doctor Tim easily landed the Offham Selling Handicap Chase. After two fourth places the combination struck again when landing the Round Oak Selling Handicap Chase at Windsor on January 5, 1952, this time prevailing by a neck over Doug Fisher on Paul’s Hill. He finished that season with two wins and one third place from 18 rides.

More than three years elapsed before Michael won another race, although he did not hold a licence for two of those seasons. After a long absence, he reappeared at Lingfield Park on November 26, 1955, making a winning comeback on Bubbly, trained by Dave Hanley, in the New Chapel Selling Handicap Hurdle. 

He managed one winner in each of the next three seasons but rode only occasionally, never more than a dozen rides in each campaign. Bubbly won the same race for a second time on December 8, 1956, beating Clontarf, the mount of Dennis Dillon, by a head. Coquelin, owned and trained by Eric Stein, triumphed in the Salop Selling Hurdle at Woore on March 20, 1958; and another owner-trainer, Tom Barton, provided Michael with his final winner when Mushtara took the Great Hall Selling Handicap Chase at Lingfield Park on January 24, 1959, overhauling Tony Dennis on Discovery in the last stride. 

Michael kept the ride on Mushtara for the next five starts and managed two third places before other jockeys took over. His final ride was on Bright Feather, finishing fifth in the Booth Four-Year-Old Maiden Hurdle at Southwell on May 16, 1960.