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Timothy Valentine (Val) Val O’Connell was a professional National Hunt jockey who got a taste of the big time when finishing third in the 1983 Grand National on Yer Man.
Timothy Valentine (Val) Val O’Connell was a professional National Hunt jockey who got a taste of the big time when finishing third in the 1983 Grand National on Yer Man.
He began his racing career in his native Ireland before coming to Britain in 1978 and joining Ken Oliver’s Hassendean Bank, Hawick stable. He had his first mount for him on novice hurdler Hotcakes at Carlisle on September 30, 1978, finishing fourth of the eleven runners.
He began his racing career in his native Ireland before coming to Britain in 1978 and joining Ken Oliver’s Hassendean Bank, Hawick stable. He had his first mount for him on novice hurdler Hotcakes at Carlisle on September 30, 1978, finishing fourth of the eleven runners.
He registered his first success in Britain on Flittermere for Tarporley, Cheshire trainer Ray Peacock in a novice riders’ handicap chase at Wetherby on February 28, 1979.
He registered his first success in Britain on Flittermere for Tarporley, Cheshire trainer Ray Peacock in a novice riders’ handicap chase at Wetherby on February 28, 1979.
Val went on to ride several winners for Ken Oliver over the next couple of seasons. He won four races on the chaser Robbies Park, most notably the Melleray’s Belle Challenge Cup at Ayr on October 13, 1980. He recorded his last success for Oliver on Arpal Glider in a Perth novices’ chase on April 29, 1981.
Val went on to ride several winners for Ken Oliver over the next couple of seasons. He won four races on the chaser Robbies Park, most notably the Melleray’s Belle Challenge Cup at Ayr on October 13, 1980. He recorded his last success for Oliver on Arpal Glider in a Perth novices’ chase on April 29, 1981.
He returned to Ireland at the end of that season and joined forces with Andrew McNamara, who trained at Croom, in County Limerick. The stable star there was Yer Man. Val rode him to finish a staying-on fourth in the 1982 Topham Trophy over an inadequate two miles and six furlongs of the Grand National course. In doing so, Yer Man earned an automatic qualification for the Grand National itself.
He returned to Ireland at the end of that season and joined forces with Andrew McNamara, who trained at Croom, in County Limerick. The stable star there was Yer Man. Val rode him to finish a staying-on fourth in the 1982 Topham Trophy over an inadequate two miles and six furlongs of the Grand National course. In doing so, Yer Man earned an automatic qualification for the Grand National itself.
Val and Yer Man began their 1982/83 campaign by winning the Central Hotel Handicap Chase on the Friday of Listowel’s race week. They lined up as 80-1 outsiders for the 1983 Grand National, dismissed by most pundits as ‘no-hopers’, but well and truly outran their odds to finish third behind Corbiere and Greasepaint. Val considered it one of the highlights of his riding career and the one which gave him the greatest thrill.
Val and Yer Man began their 1982/83 campaign by winning the Central Hotel Handicap Chase on the Friday of Listowel’s race week. They lined up as 80-1 outsiders for the 1983 Grand National, dismissed by most pundits as ‘no-hopers’, but well and truly outran their odds to finish third behind Corbiere and Greasepaint. Val considered it one of the highlights of his riding career and the one which gave him the greatest thrill.
The pair returned to Aintree for the 1984 Grand National but this time the ground had gone completely against the horse. Yer Man liked it really soft, even bottomless so that his staying power could come to the fore. Alas, that was not the case in 1984 and they finished back in seventeenth place of the 23 finishers. However, they did have the honour of completing safely over the Grand National fences three years in a row.
The pair returned to Aintree for the 1984 Grand National but this time the ground had gone completely against the horse. Yer Man liked it really soft, even bottomless so that his staying power could come to the fore. Alas, that was not the case in 1984 and they finished back in seventeenth place of the 23 finishers. However, they did have the honour of completing safely over the Grand National fences three years in a row.
The plan was to try again in 1985. This time the ground came up ideal for Yer Man but sadly, he was not present, having died suddenly from colic.
The plan was to try again in 1985. This time the ground came up ideal for Yer Man but sadly, he was not present, having died suddenly from colic.
Val continued to ride for Andrew McNamara. When he quit the saddle he became the Irish Turf Club’s inspector of courses. He is now clerk of the course at Limerick
Val continued to ride for Andrew McNamara. When he quit the saddle he became the Irish Turf Club’s inspector of courses. He is now clerk of the course at Limerick
He is the father of seven-time Grade 1-winning jump jockey Brian O’Connell, best remembered for his association with Dunguib, whom he rode to victory in the Champion Bumper at the 2009 Cheltenham Festival. He also partnered Dunguib to Grade 1 wins in the Royal Bond Novice Hurdle and Deloitte Novice Hurdle.
He is the father of seven-time Grade 1-winning jump jockey Brian O’Connell, best remembered for his association with Dunguib, whom he rode to victory in the Champion Bumper at the 2009 Cheltenham Festival. He also partnered Dunguib to Grade 1 wins in the Royal Bond Novice Hurdle and Deloitte Novice Hurdle.
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