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Sean O’Donovan
Sean O’Donovan
During his career in racing, Sean Henry O’Donovan worked and rode for Jim Bolger, David O’Brien (son of Vincent O’Brien) and Arthur Stephenson.
During his career in racing, Sean Henry O’Donovan worked and rode for Jim Bolger, David O’Brien (son of Vincent O’Brien) and Arthur Stephenson.
He had already ridden enough winners as an amateur jockey in his native Ireland for his claim to have been reduced to 5lb before crossing the Irish Sea to join Stephenson’s Bishop Auckland stable by way of gaining further experience. That suited Stephenson’s policy well, as he preferred taking on riders with winners behind them rather than inexperienced 7lb claimers.
He had already ridden enough winners as an amateur jockey in his native Ireland for his claim to have been reduced to 5lb before crossing the Irish Sea to join Stephenson’s Bishop Auckland stable by way of gaining further experience. That suited Stephenson’s policy well, as he preferred taking on riders with winners behind them rather than inexperienced 7lb claimers.
Sean was still an amateur when joining Stephenson at the outset of the 1989/90 season, recording his first English victory at Sedgefield on November 14, 1989, when his mount, Stepfaster, owned and trained by Stephenson, won the Cornforth Novices’ Hurdle for amateur riders by a massive 30 lengths, their cause having been helped by the fall of challenger Across The Lake at the penultimate flight. Sean had ridden her four times already that season and been placed twice.
Sean was still an amateur when joining Stephenson at the outset of the 1989/90 season, recording his first English victory at Sedgefield on November 14, 1989, when his mount, Stepfaster, owned and trained by Stephenson, won the Cornforth Novices’ Hurdle for amateur riders by a massive 30 lengths, their cause having been helped by the fall of challenger Across The Lake at the penultimate flight. Sean had ridden her four times already that season and been placed twice.
He turned conditional later that season and had his first win in the paid ranks at Newcastle on March 19, 1990, when Regent Cross, also trained by Arthur Stephenson, was pushed out to land the Kenton Novices’ Handicap Hurdle by two lengths.
He turned conditional later that season and had his first win in the paid ranks at Newcastle on March 19, 1990, when Regent Cross, also trained by Arthur Stephenson, was pushed out to land the Kenton Novices’ Handicap Hurdle by two lengths.
An all the way victory on Trigpoint Charlie in the Church Fenton Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Chase at Wetherby on May 9 came next, and the combination followed up at Hexham on May 26, taking the Federation LCL Pils Handicap Chase by eight lengths.
An all the way victory on Trigpoint Charlie in the Church Fenton Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Chase at Wetherby on May 9 came next, and the combination followed up at Hexham on May 26, taking the Federation LCL Pils Handicap Chase by eight lengths.
Having had those four successes, one as an amateur, three as a conditional, during that 1989/90 campaign, Sean returned to ride in Ireland. There he struck up a memorable acquaintance in the mid-90s with the Pat Fahy-trained chaser Nuaffe.
Having had those four successes, one as an amateur, three as a conditional, during that 1989/90 campaign, Sean returned to ride in Ireland. There he struck up a memorable acquaintance in the mid-90s with the Pat Fahy-trained chaser Nuaffe.
Their golden year was 1994, beginning in January with victory in the Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park. The next month they finished second in the Punchestown Grand National Trial, then put up s great show in the Irish Grand National.
Their golden year was 1994, beginning in January with victory in the Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park. The next month they finished second in the Punchestown Grand National Trial, then put up s great show in the Irish Grand National.
From flag fall the 16-1 chance Nuaffe set off like a scalded cat, continuing in solitary isolation and showing no signs of coming back to his field. Sensing the danger, the pack eventually gave chase, but Nuaffe’s forcing tactics had taken their toll on his rivals, with only Son Of War being able to make an impression. The latter caught the by now legless leader approaching the last fence and ran on strongly to win by four and a half lengths.
From flag fall the 16-1 chance Nuaffe set off like a scalded cat, continuing in solitary isolation and showing no signs of coming back to his field. Sensing the danger, the pack eventually gave chase, but Nuaffe’s forcing tactics had taken their toll on his rivals, with only Son Of War being able to make an impression. The latter caught the by now legless leader approaching the last fence and ran on strongly to win by four and a half lengths.
The following season, 1994/95, Sean and Nuaffe won Navan’s Troytown Chase in November, then finished runners-up in the Grade 1 Punchestown Chase, were beaten a short head in the Tripleprint Gold Cup at Cheltenham, and finished second in the Grade 2 Ericsson Chase at Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting.
The following season, 1994/95, Sean and Nuaffe won Navan’s Troytown Chase in November, then finished runners-up in the Grade 1 Punchestown Chase, were beaten a short head in the Tripleprint Gold Cup at Cheltenham, and finished second in the Grade 2 Ericsson Chase at Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting.
On February 25, 1995, Sean and Nuaffe returned to winning ways when landing the valuable Greenalls Gold Cup Handicap Chase at Haydock Park, getting the better of a prolonged duel with Riverside Boy, trained by Martin Pipe and the mount of Charlie Swan, to score by half a length.
On February 25, 1995, Sean and Nuaffe returned to winning ways when landing the valuable Greenalls Gold Cup Handicap Chase at Haydock Park, getting the better of a prolonged duel with Riverside Boy, trained by Martin Pipe and the mount of Charlie Swan, to score by half a length.
Sadly, their season ended in anti-climax when failing to finish in the Cheltenham Gold Cup (unseated rider) and the Grand National (fell).
Sadly, their season ended in anti-climax when failing to finish in the Cheltenham Gold Cup (unseated rider) and the Grand National (fell).
Having combined his riding career with breaking and pre-training racehorses, Sean then moved solely into the latter. He also trained a few point-to-pointers, winning ten races in that sphere.
Having combined his riding career with breaking and pre-training racehorses, Sean then moved solely into the latter. He also trained a few point-to-pointers, winning ten races in that sphere.
He subsequently relocated to Riyadh Saudi Arabia, where his duties included breaking and pre-training two-year-olds, pre-training older horses and nursing rehab horses back to fitness, combined with teaching basic horsemanship and development of riding skills to stable lads and exercise riders.
He subsequently relocated to Riyadh Saudi Arabia, where his duties included breaking and pre-training two-year-olds, pre-training older horses and nursing rehab horses back to fitness, combined with teaching basic horsemanship and development of riding skills to stable lads and exercise riders.
During his time in Riyadh he was vice-chairman of the local GAA Club Naomh Alee and vice chairman of the Riyadh Irish Society.
During his time in Riyadh he was vice-chairman of the local GAA Club Naomh Alee and vice chairman of the Riyadh Irish Society.
He later became assistant manager for Godolphin’s Japanese operation, based in Hokkaido.
He later became assistant manager for Godolphin’s Japanese operation, based in Hokkaido.
February 25, 1995: Sean wins the Greenhalls Gold Cup on Nuaffe
1994: Sean and Nuaffe strike again in the Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park
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