Tom O'Brien
Speaking in October, 2006, jockey Richard Johnson said...
Speaking in October, 2006, jockey Richard Johnson said...
'If anyone had told me back in April that Tom (O'Brien) would ride more winners than me over the summer, I would have been mortified. Yet he has done so, from 100 fewer ides. Barring accidents, he'll be the first conditional to ride 100 winners in a season.
'If anyone had told me back in April that Tom (O'Brien) would ride more winners than me over the summer, I would have been mortified. Yet he has done so, from 100 fewer ides. Barring accidents, he'll be the first conditional to ride 100 winners in a season.
'I've been close to Tom from the start, as he joined Philip Hobbs, my main trainer. First impressions were of a young man rather like his uncle (top Irish trainer Aidan O'Brien) - polite, a little shy and asking questions because he wanted to learn, rather than talk all the time.
'I've been close to Tom from the start, as he joined Philip Hobbs, my main trainer. First impressions were of a young man rather like his uncle (top Irish trainer Aidan O'Brien) - polite, a little shy and asking questions because he wanted to learn, rather than talk all the time.
'He broke his collar bone three times in his first season
'He broke his collar bone three times in his first season
and inevitably got frustrated. Every time he thought he was getting going, he'd be on the injury list again.
and inevitably got frustrated. Every time he thought he was getting going, he'd be on the injury list again.
'But there was never any doubt that he would make the grade and I'm not surprised that a lot of good trainers are using him now. He's a natural, who looks completely at home on a horse and is never trying to force things.
'But there was never any doubt that he would make the grade and I'm not surprised that a lot of good trainers are using him now. He's a natural, who looks completely at home on a horse and is never trying to force things.
'I've watched him school at home and he's never in a rush, instead letting the horse find his feet and his rhythm. He's the same in a race, showing patience unusual in one so young. What I like best is that he has kept his feet on the ground. Some jockeys arrive on the scene with a few winners and quickly become overbearing and annoying. There's none of that in Tom and he should have a lot of success to come.'
'I've watched him school at home and he's never in a rush, instead letting the horse find his feet and his rhythm. He's the same in a race, showing patience unusual in one so young. What I like best is that he has kept his feet on the ground. Some jockeys arrive on the scene with a few winners and quickly become overbearing and annoying. There's none of that in Tom and he should have a lot of success to come.'
Stunning praise indeed from one of the finest National Hunt jockeys ever.
Stunning praise indeed from one of the finest National Hunt jockeys ever.
And Richard Johnson was quite right about future success coming Tom's way.
And Richard Johnson was quite right about future success coming Tom's way.
By the last day of August, 2014, likable Irishman Tom O'Brien had ridden 618 winners from a total of 4,308 mounts.
By the last day of August, 2014, likable Irishman Tom O'Brien had ridden 618 winners from a total of 4,308 mounts.
Wexford-born Tom's first involvement with racing had come back home at Ballydoyle where, during the school holidays, Tom had spent his weekends and holidays with his uncle, trainer Aidan O'Brien.
Wexford-born Tom's first involvement with racing had come back home at Ballydoyle where, during the school holidays, Tom had spent his weekends and holidays with his uncle, trainer Aidan O'Brien.
Tom's father had also worked there for some ten years, mainly as a driver.
Tom's father had also worked there for some ten years, mainly as a driver.
Tom stands at 5ft 10 ins.
Tom stands at 5ft 10 ins.
His first ride came for trainer Shay Slevin who, on 13 April, 2003 at Listowel, put Tom up on Nansom Street in an eleven-runner National Hunt Flat race. Tom finished 7th.
His first ride came for trainer Shay Slevin who, on 13 April, 2003 at Listowel, put Tom up on Nansom Street in an eleven-runner National Hunt Flat race. Tom finished 7th.
His second ride - same trainer, same horse - came that June at Clonmel. This time Tom came fourteenth of seventeen runners.
His second ride - same trainer, same horse - came that June at Clonmel. This time Tom came fourteenth of seventeen runners.
Tom had his first taste of English racing when, on 11 November the following year, he rode Mrs Philip at Taunton for Philip Hobbs. He was beaten just two lengths by Hobbs's other runner in the race, Red Society.
Tom had his first taste of English racing when, on 11 November the following year, he rode Mrs Philip at Taunton for Philip Hobbs. He was beaten just two lengths by Hobbs's other runner in the race, Red Society.
He then took a further four rides before, on 18 December that year, Andy Turnell put him up on The Name's Bond at Warwick. Tom won by eleven lengths.
He then took a further four rides before, on 18 December that year, Andy Turnell put him up on The Name's Bond at Warwick. Tom won by eleven lengths.
The following season Tom increased it to 22 and became that year's leading amateur then, numerically, enjoyed his best ever season when passing the post in front 105 times.
The following season Tom increased it to 22 and became that year's leading amateur then, numerically, enjoyed his best ever season when passing the post in front 105 times.
But that, sadly, was to be, to date, his highest ever seasonal total.
But that, sadly, was to be, to date, his highest ever seasonal total.
Over the next three seasons, his winning rides plummeted. 2007-8 he rode 70, 2008-9 59 and then - his worst period - in 2009/10, he rode just 36.
Over the next three seasons, his winning rides plummeted. 2007-8 he rode 70, 2008-9 59 and then - his worst period - in 2009/10, he rode just 36.
Since those dark days it's been business as usual with his recent annual totals hovering around the mid-seventies.
Since those dark days it's been business as usual with his recent annual totals hovering around the mid-seventies.
Peter Bowen, who had stables at Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, gave Tom regular and plentiful rides, including some on McKelvey who, when partnered by Tony McCoy, had won the 2006 English Summer National at Uttoxeter.
Peter Bowen, who had stables at Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, gave Tom regular and plentiful rides, including some on McKelvey who, when partnered by Tony McCoy, had won the 2006 English Summer National at Uttoxeter.
Tom first became acquainted with McKelvy just three weeks before the Grand National when winning the Tommy Shone Handicap Hurdle at Bangor.
Tom first became acquainted with McKelvy just three weeks before the Grand National when winning the Tommy Shone Handicap Hurdle at Bangor.
On Grand National day itself, Saturday, 14 April, 2007, Tom, aged 20, and having reached the 100-winner mark that Tuesday, said 'The old riders say a lot of different things, but it's obvious you need a lot of luck just to get round.'
On Grand National day itself, Saturday, 14 April, 2007, Tom, aged 20, and having reached the 100-winner mark that Tuesday, said 'The old riders say a lot of different things, but it's obvious you need a lot of luck just to get round.'
After walking the course he said: 'The fences look much bigger from the back, but to look at them from the front - and imagine you're riding a horse into them - is pretty exciting.'
After walking the course he said: 'The fences look much bigger from the back, but to look at them from the front - and imagine you're riding a horse into them - is pretty exciting.'
As the tapes rose, McKelvy hesitated, just missing a beat. Tom, unconcerned, just wanted to get over the first two fences. He needn't have worried. McKelvy jumped brilliantly throughout and, with just two left to jump, lay third behind Silver Birch and Slim Pickens.
As the tapes rose, McKelvy hesitated, just missing a beat. Tom, unconcerned, just wanted to get over the first two fences. He needn't have worried. McKelvy jumped brilliantly throughout and, with just two left to jump, lay third behind Silver Birch and Slim Pickens.
The horse picked up a little, but not enough. Tom was beaten by three-parts of a length. It had been an incredible first National ride for the young jockey.
The horse picked up a little, but not enough. Tom was beaten by three-parts of a length. It had been an incredible first National ride for the young jockey.
The following year, triumph was replaced by tragedy: Tom parted company with McKelvy two fences before Becher's - McKelvy, running loose, attempted to jump some railings and collapsed. The horse had fractured its back and was put down on the spot.
The following year, triumph was replaced by tragedy: Tom parted company with McKelvy two fences before Becher's - McKelvy, running loose, attempted to jump some railings and collapsed. The horse had fractured its back and was put down on the spot.