Donnacha O'Brien (born 22 July 1998) is an

Irish Irish may refer to: Common meanings * Someone or something of, from, or related to: ** Ireland, an island situated off the north-western coast of continental Europe ***Éire, Irish language name for the isle ** Northern Ireland, a constituent unit ...

racehorse trainer and former jockey who competed in

Flat racing Horse racing is an equestrian performance sport, typically involving two or more horses ridden by jockeys (or sometimes driven without riders) over a set distance for competition. It is one of the most ancient of all sports, as its basic pr ...

. O'Brien is the son of multiple champion trainer

Aidan O'Brien Aidan Patrick O'Brien (born 16 October 1969 in County Wexford, Ireland) Aidan O'Brien bio NTRA. ...

and brother of jockey and trainer Joseph O'Brien. Donnacha O'Brien rode his first winner on Quartz, trained by his father, at

Dundalk Stadium Dundalk Stadium is a horse and greyhound racing venue in Ireland. It is located to the north of Dundalk in County Louth. The total build cost €35million with a modern grandstand, elevated viewing areas, restaurant and bars. Horse racing The ...

in September 2014, and gained his first

Group 1 Group 1 may refer to: * Alkali metal, a chemical element classification for Alkali metal * Group 1 (racing), a historic (until 1981) classification for Touring car racing, applied to standard touring cars. Comparable to modern FIA Group N * Group On ...

victory when he rode Intricately to win the 2016

Moyglare Stud Stakes The Moyglare Stud Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Ireland open to two-year-old thoroughbred fillies. It is run at the Curragh over a distance of 7 furlongs (1,408 metres), and it is scheduled ...

. Intricately was bred by his mother, Anne Marie, and trained by his brother. O'Brien was Irish flat racing champion apprentice jockey in 2016 and

Irish flat racing Champion Jockey The Champion Jockey of flat racing in Ireland is the jockey who has ridden the most winning horses during a season. The list below shows the Champion Jockey for each year since 1950. Champion Jockeys since 1950 * 1950 - J W Thompson * 1951 ...

for the first time in 2018. He retained his title in 2019, beating

Colin Keane Colin Keane (born 12 September 1994) is an Irish jockey who competes in flat racing. He was Irish flat racing Champion Jockey in 2017, 2020, 2021 and 2022. Keane was born in County Meath and rode his first race winner at Dundalk in December ...

in a season which saw two jockeys ride over 100 winners in a season in Ireland for the first time. O'Brien announced his retirement from race riding on 25 November 2019 and announced his intention to take up training.

Major wins as a jockey

Ireland *

Irish Derby The Irish Derby ( Irish: Dearbaí na hÉireann) is a Group 1 flat horse race in Ireland open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It is run at the Curragh over a distance ...

- (1) - ''Latrobe (2018)'' *

- (2) - ''Intricately (2016), Happily (2017)'' ---- Great Britain *

2000 Guineas The 2000 Guineas Stakes is a Group 1 flat race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It is run on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket over a distance of 1 mile (1,609 metres) and scheduled to take place each year ...

- (2) - '' Saxon Warrior (2018), Magna Grecia (2019)'' *

Cheveley Park Stakes The Cheveley Park Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to two-year-old fillies. It is run on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket over a distance of 6 furlongs (1,207 metres), and it ...

- ''

Fairyland Fairyland (''Faerie'', Scottish ''Elfame'', c.f. Old Norse '' Álfheimr'') in English and Scottish folklore is the fabulous land or abode of fairies or ''fays''. Old French (Early Modern English ) referred to an illusion or enchantment, the land ...

(2018)'' *

Epsom Oaks The Oaks Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old fillies. It is run at Epsom Downs over a distance of 1 mile, 4 furlongs and 6 yards ...

- ''

Forever Together "Forever Together" is a song co-written and recorded by American country music artist Randy Travis. It was released in September 1991 as the second single from his album ''High Lonesome (Randy Travis album), High Lonesome''. It peaked at number ...

(2018)'' *

Middle Park Stakes The Middle Park Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to two-year-old colts. It is run on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket over a distance of 6 furlongs (1,207 metres), and it is ...

- '' Ten Sovereigns (2018)'' * Vertem Futurity Trophy - ''Magna Grecia (2018)''

Major wins as a trainer

Ireland *

- (1) - ''Shale (2020)'' ---- Great Britain *

Nassau Stakes The Nassau Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to fillies and mares aged three years or older. It is run at Goodwood over a distance of 1 mile, 1 furlong ...

– (1) - '' Fancy Blue (2020)'' ---- France *

Critérium International The Critérium International was a two-day bicycle stage race held in France every spring from 1932 until 2016, typically the last weekend of March. It was formerly known as the Critérium National de la Route, first run in 1932. For many years ...

- (1) - '' Proud and Regal (2022) '' *

Prix de Diane The Prix de Diane, sometimes referred to as the French Oaks, is a Group 1 flat horse race in France open to three-year-old thoroughbred fillies. It is run at Chantilly over a distance of 2,100 met ...

– (1) - ''Fancy Blue (2020)''

References

Living people 1988 births Irish jockeys Irish racehorse trainers {{Ireland-horseracing-bio-stub