Warren O'Connor
Warren James O’Connor was born in Wexford, Ireland on 11 June 1968. Apprenticed to Liam Browne, he was Ireland’s champion apprentice in 1990.
Warren James O’Connor was born in Wexford, Ireland on 11 June 1968. Apprenticed to Liam Browne, he was Ireland’s champion apprentice in 1990.
He was one of the most successful young riders in the early 1990s and his association with trainer Michael Kauntze included the top-class filly Kooyonga. Warren won three times on her as a two-year-old in 1990, culminating in the Group 3 Leopardstown Stakes.
He was one of the most successful young riders in the early 1990s and his association with trainer Michael Kauntze included the top-class filly Kooyonga. Warren won three times on her as a two-year-old in 1990, culminating in the Group 3 Leopardstown Stakes.
They won four races together in 1991, including the Irish 1,000 Guineas. Lester Piggott had turned down the ride, having finished second on her behind Shadayid in the 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket. Warren stepped in for a famous win. They then beat Shadayid in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot and, later that season, won the Matron Stakes at Leopardstown.
They won four races together in 1991, including the Irish 1,000 Guineas. Lester Piggott had turned down the ride, having finished second on her behind Shadayid in the 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket. Warren stepped in for a famous win. They then beat Shadayid in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot and, later that season, won the Matron Stakes at Leopardstown.
As a four-year-old, Warren rode Kooyonga to win the 1992 Eclipse Stakes, beating Opera House by a length and a half, and the Group 1 Grosser Mercedes Preis Bayerisches Zuchtrennen at Munich.
As a four-year-old, Warren rode Kooyonga to win the 1992 Eclipse Stakes, beating Opera House by a length and a half, and the Group 1 Grosser Mercedes Preis Bayerisches Zuchtrennen at Munich.
In 1993 he finished runner-up in the Epsom Oaks on Royal Ballerina. But, when opportunities started to dry up at home, Warren rode abroad. He spent two years in Germany, where he had 57 winners, and was also successful in the UAE.
In 1993 he finished runner-up in the Epsom Oaks on Royal Ballerina. But, when opportunities started to dry up at home, Warren rode abroad. He spent two years in Germany, where he had 57 winners, and was also successful in the UAE.
He went on to ride almost 400 winners before being forced to retire from race-riding in September 2006 when he revealed that he was suffering from Crohn’s Disease, a chronic inflammatory disease of the digestive system.
He went on to ride almost 400 winners before being forced to retire from race-riding in September 2006 when he revealed that he was suffering from Crohn’s Disease, a chronic inflammatory disease of the digestive system.
When announcing his retirement, he said: “I’ve paid the penalty for the wasting over the years and all the hardship and abuse I gave my stomach.”
When announcing his retirement, he said: “I’ve paid the penalty for the wasting over the years and all the hardship and abuse I gave my stomach.”
After going through some tough times following his retirement, he is now a fully qualified coach and helping to develop the next wave of talent in racing.
After going through some tough times following his retirement, he is now a fully qualified coach and helping to develop the next wave of talent in racing.
Kooyonga debuts at Gowran Park August 6, 1990
Kooyonga debuts at Gowran Park August 6, 1990
Kooyonga & Warren O'Connor land the 1992 Eclipse
Kooyonga & Warren O'Connor land the 1992 Eclipse