Owen O'Neill
1936 - 2011
1936 - 2011
Owen O’Neill was born in Ireland on October 21, 1936. His racing career began when he left school and became apprenticed to Jack Doyle, the well-known bloodstock agent, who then trained at Shankill, near Dublin. Owen lived a stone’s throw from Doyle’s stable and had been riding out there since he was twelve.
Owen O’Neill was born in Ireland on October 21, 1936. His racing career began when he left school and became apprenticed to Jack Doyle, the well-known bloodstock agent, who then trained at Shankill, near Dublin. Owen lived a stone’s throw from Doyle’s stable and had been riding out there since he was twelve.
He weighed just over seven stone when starting his apprenticeship, and as Doyle mainly trained jumpers, there were few race riding opportunities. Owen was with Doyle for three years yet had only one mount in public.
He weighed just over seven stone when starting his apprenticeship, and as Doyle mainly trained jumpers, there were few race riding opportunities. Owen was with Doyle for three years yet had only one mount in public.
His big break came when Doyle arranged for him to join Seamus McGrath’s stable. It was not long before he rode his first winner, Artarsula at Naas on November 19, 1955.
His big break came when Doyle arranged for him to join Seamus McGrath’s stable. It was not long before he rode his first winner, Artarsula at Naas on November 19, 1955.
The following year he won the Irish Lincolnshire on that same horse, giving Owen his biggest win on the Flat. McGrath saddled five of the 29 runners in the race, and between them, they made all the running. Owen (right) got up close home to beat Starial, the mount of Jimmy Eddery (Pat’s father), who was then first jockey to McGrath’s stable.
The following year he won the Irish Lincolnshire on that same horse, giving Owen his biggest win on the Flat. McGrath saddled five of the 29 runners in the race, and between them, they made all the running. Owen (right) got up close home to beat Starial, the mount of Jimmy Eddery (Pat’s father), who was then first jockey to McGrath’s stable.
Owen was leading apprentice in Ireland for two seasons. The best horse he ever sat on, although only on the gallops and not in a race, was Panaslipper, the 1955 Irish Derby winner who had previously finished second to Phil Drake in the Derby at Epsom.
Owen was leading apprentice in Ireland for two seasons. The best horse he ever sat on, although only on the gallops and not in a race, was Panaslipper, the 1955 Irish Derby winner who had previously finished second to Phil Drake in the Derby at Epsom.
When Jimmy Eddery retired, Owen became McGrath’s stable jockey for a year, but he was hampered by rising weight and eventually passed nine stone. He did a lot of wasting but realised he was fighting a losing battle. He’d had a couple of rides over jumps and ridden one winner, so decided that that was the direction his future career would take.
When Jimmy Eddery retired, Owen became McGrath’s stable jockey for a year, but he was hampered by rising weight and eventually passed nine stone. He did a lot of wasting but realised he was fighting a losing battle. He’d had a couple of rides over jumps and ridden one winner, so decided that that was the direction his future career would take.
Having partnered 91 winners in Ireland, Owen crossed the Irish Sea in 1960 to ride for Bill Marshall, who mainly trained jumpers at his Cleeve Lodge stables, near Cheltenham.
Having partnered 91 winners in Ireland, Owen crossed the Irish Sea in 1960 to ride for Bill Marshall, who mainly trained jumpers at his Cleeve Lodge stables, near Cheltenham.
He had one winner for him in that first season, selling hurdler Rising Bell (left) at Wincanton on April 20, 1961.
He had one winner for him in that first season, selling hurdler Rising Bell (left) at Wincanton on April 20, 1961.
However, the move didn’t bring him much luck as he endured three blank seasons before riding another winner. The horse that ended the drought was a named four-year-old hurdler Baridi, owned and trained by Jack Gibson near Stroud.
However, the move didn’t bring him much luck as he endured three blank seasons before riding another winner. The horse that ended the drought was a named four-year-old hurdler Baridi, owned and trained by Jack Gibson near Stroud.
Owen won a novice hurdle on him at Chepstow on October 24, 1964, then won the Lansdowne Hurdle at Cheltenham on November 14, and followed up by beating the odds-on Wilhelmina Henrietta at Windsor (below) on November 21.
Owen won a novice hurdle on him at Chepstow on October 24, 1964, then won the Lansdowne Hurdle at Cheltenham on November 14, and followed up by beating the odds-on Wilhelmina Henrietta at Windsor (below) on November 21.
Next time out, they held every chance when crashing out at the third last flight in Newbury’s Berkshire Handicap Hurdle. Seven-pound claiming amateur rider Ian Cocks took over next time when Baridi won the Tote Investors Christmas Hurdle at Newbury.
Next time out, they held every chance when crashing out at the third last flight in Newbury’s Berkshire Handicap Hurdle. Seven-pound claiming amateur rider Ian Cocks took over next time when Baridi won the Tote Investors Christmas Hurdle at Newbury.
Owen rated Baridi by far the best horse he rode over hurdles.
Owen rated Baridi by far the best horse he rode over hurdles.
Owen hung up his riding boots a couple of years later, bought Bill Marshall’s Cleeve Hill Stables and began training in his own right. His best horse was Mole Board, which he trained to win five of his first six races and was well backed for the Sun Alliance Novices’ Hurdle but could finish only eighth. He went on to run well for Jim Old in four Champion Hurdles.
Owen hung up his riding boots a couple of years later, bought Bill Marshall’s Cleeve Hill Stables and began training in his own right. His best horse was Mole Board, which he trained to win five of his first six races and was well backed for the Sun Alliance Novices’ Hurdle but could finish only eighth. He went on to run well for Jim Old in four Champion Hurdles.
His other good horses included Christian Schad, Don Sebastian, King Of The Winds, Model Pupil and Relic’s Son.
His other good horses included Christian Schad, Don Sebastian, King Of The Winds, Model Pupil and Relic’s Son.
A larger-than-life character, Owen saddled his last runners in 2005. He died on November 23, 2011, aged 75.
A larger-than-life character, Owen saddled his last runners in 2005. He died on November 23, 2011, aged 75.