Joseph Patrick O'Brien (born 23 May 1993)
is an
Irish horse racing
Horse racing is an equestrian performance activity, 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 bas ...
trainer and former
flat racing
Horse racing is an equestrianism, equestrian performance activity, 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 spor ...
jockey
A jockey is someone who rides horses in horse racing or steeplechase (horse racing), steeplechase racing, primarily as a profession. The word also applies to camel riders in camel racing. The word "jockey" originated from England and was used ...
. He is the son of trainer
Aidan O'Brien
Aidan Patrick O'Brien (born 16 October 1969 in County Wexford, Ireland)[ Aidan O'Brien bio NTRA. ...](_blank)
.
In 2012 he rode
Camelot
Camelot is a legendary castle and Royal court, court associated with King Arthur. Absent in the early Arthurian material, Camelot first appeared in 12th-century French romances and, since the Lancelot-Grail cycle, eventually came to be described ...
to win the
2,000 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 (1.6 km) and scheduled to take place each yea ...
, the
2012 Epsom Derby and the
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 dista ...
.
Riding career
O'Brien won a bronze medal at the 2009 European Pony Championships and was one of three jockeys who shared the
Irish champion apprentice jockeys' title in 2010.
He rode his first winner on Johann Zoffany, trained by his father, at
Leopardstown Racecourse
Leopardstown Racecourse is a horse-racing course in Leopardstown, approximately south of Dublin city centre, in Ireland. Like the majority of Irish courses, it hosts both National Hunt and Flat racing.
Built by Captain George Quin and modell ...
on 28 May 2009 and gained his first classic success when Roderic O'Connor won the 2011
Irish 2,000 Guineas
The Irish 2,000 Guineas 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 of 1 mile (1,609 metres), and it ...
.
In 2012 Aidan and Joseph, 19, became the first father-son/trainer-jockey combination to win
The Derby, with
Camelot
Camelot is a legendary castle and Royal court, court associated with King Arthur. Absent in the early Arthurian material, Camelot first appeared in 12th-century French romances and, since the Lancelot-Grail cycle, eventually came to be described ...
.
He was
Irish Champion Jockey in 2012 with 87 winners. In October 2013, O'Brien broke a 20-year-old record with a treble at
Navan
Navan ( ; , meaning "the Cave") is the county town and largest town of County Meath, Republic of Ireland, Ireland. It is at the confluence of the River Boyne and Leinster Blackwater, Blackwater, around 50 km northwest of Dublin. At the ...
to get his 117th winner of the season and beat the previous record set by
Mick Kinane
Michael J. Kinane (born 22 June 1959) is an Irish former flat racing jockey. He had a 34-year career, retiring on 8 December 2009.
A prolific winner of the Irish, English and French Classic races over two decades, Kinane h ...
. He finished the 2013 season with 126 winners and retained his Irish Champion Jockey title.
In March 2016 O'Brien announced that he would be stepping down from race-riding to concentrate on his new career as a trainer.
Training career
O'Brien began his training career at Owning Hill,
County Kilkenny
County Kilkenny () is a Counties of Ireland, county in Republic of Ireland, Ireland. It is in the Provinces of Ireland, province of Leinster and is part of the Southern Region, Ireland, Southern Region. It is named after the City status in Ir ...
. He made an immediate impact when Intricately, ridden by his younger brother
Donnacha, won the Moyglare Stud Stakes in 2016. He went on to win the
Melbourne Cup
The Melbourne Cup is an annual Group 1 Thoroughbred horse race held in Melbourne, Australia, at the Flemington Racecourse. It is a 3200-metre race for three-year-olds and older, conducted by the Victoria Racing Club that forms part of the ...
with
Rekindling in 2017 and with Twilight Payment in 2020; the
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 dista ...
with Latrobe in 2018; and the
Pretty Polly Stakes with
Iridessa in 2019. He also trained several good winners under
National Hunt
National Hunt Racing, also known as Jump Racing, is a form of horse racing particular to many European countries, including, but not limited to: France, Great Britain and Ireland. Jump Racing requires horses to jump over fences and ditches.
In ...
rules.
Major wins as a jockey
Ireland
Ireland (, ; ; Ulster Scots dialect, Ulster-Scots: ) is an island in the North Atlantic Ocean, in Northwestern Europe. Geopolitically, the island is divided between the Republic of Ireland (officially Names of the Irish state, named Irelan ...
*
Irish 2,000 Guineas
The Irish 2,000 Guineas 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 of 1 mile (1,609 metres), and it ...
– (3) – ''Roderic O'Connor (2011),
Power
Power may refer to:
Common meanings
* Power (physics), meaning "rate of doing work"
** Engine power, the power put out by an engine
** Electric power, a type of energy
* Power (social and political), the ability to influence people or events
Math ...
(2012),
Magician (2013)''
*
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 schedu ...
– (1) – ''
Maybe (2011)''
*
Tattersalls Gold Cup
The Tattersalls Gold Cup is a Group 1 flat horse race in Ireland open to thoroughbreds aged four years or older. It is run at the Curragh over a distance of 1 mile, 2 furlongs and 110 yards (2,1 ...
– (1) – ''
So You Think (2012)''
*
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 dista ...
- (2) - ''Camelot (2012),
Australia
Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country comprising mainland Australia, the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania and list of islands of Australia, numerous smaller isl ...
(2014)''
*
Irish St. Leger - (1) - ''
Order Of St George
Order, ORDER or Orders may refer to:
* A socio-political or established or existing order, e.g. World order, Ancien Regime, Pax Britannica
* Categorization, the process in which ideas and objects are recognized, differentiated, and understood
* ...
(2015)''
*
Vincent O'Brien National Stakes
The Vincent O'Brien National Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Ireland open to two-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It is run at the Curragh over a distance of 7 furlongs (1,408 ...
- (2) - ''
Gleneagles (2014),
Air Force Blue (2015)''
*
Phoenix Stakes
The Phoenix Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Ireland open to two-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It is run at the Curragh over a distance of 6 furlongs (1,207 metres), and it is ...
- (2) - ''Dick Whittington (2014)'', ''Air Force Blue (2015)''
----
France
France, officially the French Republic, is a country located primarily in Western Europe. Overseas France, Its overseas regions and territories include French Guiana in South America, Saint Pierre and Miquelon in the Atlantic Ocean#North Atlan ...
*
Grand Prix de Paris
The Grand Prix de Paris is a Group 1 flat horse race in France open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It is run at Longchamp over a distance of 2,400 metres (about 1½ miles), an ...
- (1) - ''Imperial Monarch (2012)''
----
Great Britain
Great Britain is an island in the North Atlantic Ocean off the north-west coast of continental Europe, consisting of the countries England, Scotland, and Wales. With an area of , it is the largest of the British Isles, the List of European ...
*
2,000 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 (1.6 km) and scheduled to take place each yea ...
– (1) – ''
Camelot
Camelot is a legendary castle and Royal court, court associated with King Arthur. Absent in the early Arthurian material, Camelot first appeared in 12th-century French romances and, since the Lancelot-Grail cycle, eventually came to be described ...
(2012)''
*
Ascot Gold Cup
The Gold Cup is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at Ascot over a distance of 2 miles 3 furlongs and 210 yards (4 ...
- (1) - ''
Leading Light (2014)''
*
Coronation Cup – (2) – ''
St Nicholas Abbey
St Nicholas Abbey is located in Saint Peter, Barbados, and is a plantation house, museum and rum distillery. Colonel Benjamin Berringer built the house in 1658. This house is one of only three genuine Jacobean mansions in the Western Hemisphe ...
(2012, 2013)''
*
Derby Stakes
The Derby Stakes, more commonly known as the Derby and sometimes referred to as the Epsom Derby, is a Group races, Group 1 flat Horse racing, horse race in England open to three-year-old Colt (horse), colts and Filly, fillies. It is run at Ep ...
– (2) – ''Camelot (2012), Australia (2014)''
*
Fillies' Mile
The Fillies' Mile 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 1 mile (1,609 metres), and it is sc ...
- (1) - ''Together Forever (2014)''
*
International Stakes
The International Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to horses aged three years or older. It is run at York over a distance of 1 mile, 2 furlongs and 56 yards ...
- (2) - ''
Declaration of War
A declaration of war is a formal act by which one state announces existing or impending war activity against another. The declaration is a performative speech act (or the public signing of a document) by an authorized party of a national gov ...
(2013), Australia (2014)''
*
Prince of Wales's Stakes
The Prince of Wales's Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at Ascot over a distance of 1 mile 1 furlong and 212 yards (2,004 me ...
- (1) - ''So You Think (2012)''
*
Queen Anne Stakes
The Queen Anne Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at Ascot over a distance of 1 mile (1,609 metres), and is scheduled to take p ...
- (1) - ''Declaration of War (2013)''
*
Queen Elizabeth II Stakes
The Queen Elizabeth II Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to horses aged three years or older. It is run at Ascot over a distance of 1 mile (1,609 metres), and it is ...
- (1) - ''
Excelebration
Excelebration (foaled 13 April 2008) is an Irish-bred Thoroughbred racehorse. As a three-year-old he recorded wins in the Mehl-Mülhens-Rennen and Hungerford Stakes, before winning his first Group 1 in the Prix du Moulin de Longchamp. After fini ...
(2012)''
*
Racing Post Trophy – (2) – ''Camelot (2011),
Kingsbarns (2012)''
*
St. Leger - (1) - ''Leading Light (2013)''
----
United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates (UAE), or simply the Emirates, is a country in West Asia, in the Middle East, at the eastern end of the Arabian Peninsula. It is a Federal monarchy, federal elective monarchy made up of Emirates of the United Arab E ...
*
Dubai Sheema Classic
The Dubai Sheema Classic is a Group 1 flat horse race in the United Arab Emirates open to thoroughbreds which are four-years-old or above. It is run over a distance of 2,400 metres (approximately miles; 2410 metres since 2010) on the turf track a ...
- (1) - ''St Nicholas Abbey (2013)''
----
United States
The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...
*
Breeders' Cup Turf
The Breeders' Cup Turf is a Weight for Age Thoroughbred horse race on turf for three-year-olds and up. It is held annually at a different racetrack in the United States or Canada as part of the Breeders' Cup World Championships. The race's current ...
– (1) – ''St Nicholas Abbey (2011)''
Major wins as a trainer
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 dista ...
- (1) - ''Latrobe (2018)''
*
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 schedu ...
– (1) – ''Intricately (2016)''
*
National Stakes
The Vincent O'Brien National Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Ireland open to two-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It is run at the Curragh over a distance of 7 furlongs (1,408 me ...
– (3) – ''
Thunder Moon (2020), Al Riffa (2022), Scorthy Champ (2024)''
*
Matron Stakes – (1) – ''
Iridessa (2019)''
*
Pretty Polly Stakes - (2) - ''Iridessa (2019), Thundering Nights (2021)''
*
Irish Gold Cup
The Irish Gold Cup ( Irish: Corn Óir na hÉireann) is a Grade 1 National Hunt steeplechase in Ireland which is open to horses aged five years or older. It is run at Leopardstown over a distance of ...
- (1) - ''Edwulf (2018)''
*
Paddy's Reward Club Chase
The Paddy's Reward Club Chase is a Grade 1 National Hunt steeplechase in Ireland. It is run at Leopardstown Racecourse in December, over a distance of about 2 miles and 1 furlong (3,420 metres) and during the ...
- (1) '' Solness (2024) ''
*
Punchestown Champion Chase
The Punchestown Champion Chase, currently known for sponsorship purposes as the William Hill Champion Chase, is a Grade 1 National Hunt racing, National Hunt Steeplechase (horse racing), steeplechase in Ireland whi ...
- (1) - '' Banbridge (2024) ''
*
Racing Post Novice Chase - (1) - ''Le Richebourg (2018)''
*
Arkle Novice Chase
The Arkle Novice Chase is a Grade 1 National Hunt steeplechase in Ireland which is open to horses aged five years or older. It is run at Leopardstown over a distance of about 2 miles and 1 furlong ...
- (1) - ''Le Richebourg (2019)''
*
Golden Cygnet Novice Hurdle
The Golden Cygnet Novice Hurdle is a Grade 1 National Hunt novice hurdle race in Ireland which is for horses aged five years or older. It is run at Leopardstown over a distance of about 2 miles and 6 furlongs ( ...
- (1) - ''Tower Bridge (2018)''
*
Spring Juvenile Hurdle
The Spring Juvenile Hurdle is a Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle race in Ireland. It is run at Leopardstown Racecourse in February, over a distance of 2 miles. The race is restricted to four-year-old horses on ...
- (2) - ''Sir Erec (2019), A Wave of the Sea (2020)''
*
Drinmore Novice Chase - (1) - ''Fakir D’oudairies (2019)''
*
Christmas Hurdle
The Christmas Hurdle is a Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle race in Great Britain which is open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at Kempton Park over a distance of about 2 miles (3,219 m ...
- (2) - '' Home By The Lee (2022, 2024) ''
*
Dublin Chase - (1) - '' Solness (2025)''
----
Australia
*
Melbourne Cup
The Melbourne Cup is an annual Group 1 Thoroughbred horse race held in Melbourne, Australia, at the Flemington Racecourse. It is a 3200-metre race for three-year-olds and older, conducted by the Victoria Racing Club that forms part of the ...
– (2) – ''
Rekindling (
2017
2017 was designated as the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development by the United Nations General Assembly.
Events January
* January 1 – Istanbul nightclub shooting: A gunman dressed as Santa Claus opens fire at the ...
),
Twilight Payment (
2020
The year 2020 was heavily defined by the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to global Social impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, social and Economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, economic disruption, mass cancellations and postponements of even ...
)''
*
Cox Plate
The W. S. Cox Plate is a Group races, Group 1 Thoroughbred horse race for horses aged three years old and over under Weight for age conditions, over a distance of 2040 metres (approximately 1m 2f), that is held by the Moonee Valley Racin ...
- (1) - ''
State Of Rest
State Of Rest (foaled 11 April 2018) is a retired Ireland, Irish-bred and trained Thoroughbred racehorse. He was one of leading three-year-olds of 2021 winning Australia's premier Group One, G1 W. S. Cox Plate and Graded stakes race, Grade I Sa ...
(2021) ''
----
France
*
Critérium de Saint-Cloud
The Critérium de Saint-Cloud is a Conditions races, Group 1 Flat racing, flat Horse racing, horse race in France open to two-year-old thoroughbred Colt (horse), colts and Filly, fillies. It is run at Saint-Cloud R ...
- (1) - '' Tennessee Stud (2024) ''
*
Prix Ganay
The Prix Ganay is a Group 1 flat horse race in France open to thoroughbreds aged four years or older. It is run over a distance of 2,100 metres (about 1 mile and 2½ furlongs) at L ...
– (1) – ''
State Of Rest
State Of Rest (foaled 11 April 2018) is a retired Ireland, Irish-bred and trained Thoroughbred racehorse. He was one of leading three-year-olds of 2021 winning Australia's premier Group One, G1 W. S. Cox Plate and Graded stakes race, Grade I Sa ...
(2022) ''
*
Prix Saint-Alary
The Prix Saint-Alary is a Group 2 flat horse race in France open to three-year-old thoroughbred fillies. It is run at Longchamp in Paris over a distance of 2,000 metres (about 1 miles), and take ...
- (1) - '' Above The Curve (2022) ''
----
Great Britain
*
Fillies' Mile
The Fillies' Mile 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 1 mile (1,609 metres), and it is sc ...
- (2) - ''Iridessa (2018), Pretty Gorgeous (2020)''
*
Prince of Wales's Stakes
The Prince of Wales's Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at Ascot over a distance of 1 mile 1 furlong and 212 yards (2,004 me ...
- (1) - ''
State Of Rest
State Of Rest (foaled 11 April 2018) is a retired Ireland, Irish-bred and trained Thoroughbred racehorse. He was one of leading three-year-olds of 2021 winning Australia's premier Group One, G1 W. S. Cox Plate and Graded stakes race, Grade I Sa ...
(2022)''
*
St Leger Stakes
The St Leger Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It is run at Doncaster over ...
- (1) - ''
Galileo Chrome
Galileo Chrome (foaled 28 April 2017) is an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse. He finished unplaced on his only start as a juvenile in 2019 but made rapid improvement in the following year, winning his first four races including the Yeats Stakes and ...
(2020)''
*
Melling Chase - (2) - ''Fakir D'oudairies (2021, 2022) ''
*
Ascot Chase - (1) - ''Fakir D'oudairies (2022) ''
*
Manifesto Novices' Chase
The Manifesto Novices' Chase is a Grade 1 National Hunt steeplechase in Great Britain which is open to horses aged five years or older. It is run at Aintree over a distance of about 2 miles and 4 furlongs (2 miles, 3 fur ...
- (1) - '' Banbridge (2023) ''
*
King George VI Chase - (1) - ''Banbridge (2024)''
----
United States
*
Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf
The Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf is a Weight for Age Thoroughbred horse race on turf for fillies and mares, three years old and up. It is held annually at a different racetrack in the United States as part of the Breeders' Cup World Championsh ...
- (1) - ''Iridessa (2019)''
*
Saratoga Derby Invitational Stakes - (1) - ''State Of Rest (2021)''
----
Germany
*
Grosser Preis von Berlin
The Großer Preis von Berlin, formerly known as the Deutschland-Preis, is a Group 1 flat horse race in Germany open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Hoppegarten over a distance of 2,400 metres ( ...
- (1) - '' Al Riffa (2024) ''
Year-end charts
See also
*
List of jockeys
This is a list of notable jockeys, both male and female, covering jockeys who have competed worldwide in all forms of horse racing.
__NOTOC__
A
* Eddie Ahern
* Robby Albarado
* Anna Lee Aldred
* Tony Allan (jockey), Tony Allan
* Lisa Allpress ...
References
External links
Racing Post Profile
{{DEFAULTSORT:OBrien, Joseph Patrick
Irish jockeys
1993 births
Living people
Irish racehorse trainers
Equestrians from County Wexford