Irish Racing Legends
LEADING FLAT TRAINER BIOS
PHILLY BEHAN
PHILIP BEHAN of Mountjoy Lodge stables on the Curragh became the third of seven Behan brothers to train the winner of the Irish Derby in 1931 with Sea Serpent following William in 1884 with Theologian and John with Aviator in 1910. Another brother Nicholas rode Sortie to victory in the Classic in 1882. He was an outstanding trainer of two-year-olds and dominated his rivals in such important juvenile races as the Anglesey Stakes, Railway Stakes and Phoenix Stakes. Leading trainer in 1918, 1921, 1931, 1932 and 1934, he won six other Irish Classics, including three Oaks (Juliet 1906, Snow Maiden 1919, The Kiwi 1921), two Irish 2,000 Guineas (Cariff 1934, Hocus Pocus 1936) and a St Leger (Kircubbin 1921). William aslo won the Irish Oaks with Irish Ivy in 1899.
COL ARTHUR BLAKE
Born: 1884-1974
LEADING TRAINER in 1929, 1930 and 1938, Colonel Arthur J Blake sent out the winners of a then record haul of 17 Irish Classics, which puts him in joint-fourth with Paddy Prendergast on the all-time list. Sent out from his stables at The Heath, Maryborough (Portlaoise). It makes impressive reading: six 1,000 Guineas (Milady Rose 1941, Gainsworth 1940, Sol Speranza 1937, Spiral 1931, Soloptic 1929 and Flying Dinah 1925); five 2,000 Guineas (Stalino 1945, Teasel 1940, Lindley 1932, Glannarg 1930 and Salisbury 1929); two Derbys (Sol Oriens 1941 and Rosewell 1938); two Oaks (Sol Speranza 1937 and Soloptic 1929) and two St Legers (Ochiltree 1938 and Sol de Terre 1930).
JIM BOLGER
Born: Co Wexford, 1941
JAMES STEPHEN Bolger is a true legend of the turf. His rise from obscurity in the late 70s to the top of his profession may have surprised many in racing but not the Wexford man, who has always displayed a total belief in his own ability. To see what he's built from scratch is phenomenal. He is now unique in combining the roles of breeder, owner - horses run in the colours of his wife Jackie - and trainer at the highest level. His daring strategy of breeding and producing a constant supply of well-bred yearlings to train at Glebe House stables has borne rich fruit - seven Irish Classics and five British - and his contribution and impact on the industry has been recognised globally. In 2013, he was the first recipient of the prestigious IFHA and Longines International Award of Merit. A true legend of the turf, his knowledge of pedigrees and matings is second to none.
A former accountant in the offices of a Dublin car dealer, he enjoyed great success early on, particularly with fillies - among them Give Thanks (who gave him his first Classic success in the 1983 Irish Oaks), Park Appeal (1984 Moyglare Stud Stakes and Cheveley Park Stakes), Park Express (1986 Irish Champion Stakes and Nassau Stakes), Polonia (1987 Prixde l'Abbaye), Condessa (1981 Yorkshire Oaks) and Flame of Tara (1983 Coronation Stakes, the first of nine Royal Ascot winners). Enjoyed more of the same with the fairer sex when Jet Ski Lady caused a 50/1 shock in the Epsom Oaks in 1991 and Finsceal Beo - winner as a juvenile of the Prix Marcel Boussac and Rockfel Stakes - bolted up in the 2007 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket and became only the second filly (Attraction in 2004 broke the mould) to land the English-Irish 1,000 Guineas double when following up at the Curragh.
His finest hour, however, was probably with the colt New Approach, ridden by Kevin Manning, in the 2008 Epsom Derby. The trainer had bought the son of Galileo as a yearling and sold him for a substantial profit to Sheikh Mohammed a year later. He won five Group Ones, including the Derby, and was named joint-best racehorse in the world (2008) alongside American champion Curlin.
Runs one of the most professional training outfits anywhere in the world from his Coolcullen base on the Carlow/Kilkenny border - moving there in 1982 after renting stables near the Phoenix Park in Dublin - and now employs over 100 people in three state-of-the-art establishments: Redmondstown Stud in Oylegate, Co Wexford and a pre-training premises at Beechy Park in nearby Co Carlow.
Attention is paid to every last detail and the ability of his horses to hold their form despite being raced frequently has been the Bolger hallmark throughout his career. Was champion trainer in 1992 and 1991 in terms of prize-money won as well as claiming four numerical titles (1996, 1994, 1992 and 1990). His Flat total of 125 in 1990 was a record until Aidan O'Brien broke it in 2013 with 135 winners (O'Brien went on to set a new mark of 152 winners in 2018). His first winner was Peaceful Pleasure - ridden by the late Dessie Hughes - at Roscommon in 1976, and it was at the same track that he enjoyed a 1,000th success with Staviski in 1992. The 2,000 winner mark came at the Curragh with Teacht An Earraig in 2008. In total, he has trained over 2,700 winners.
Teamed up with veteran jockey Christy Roche in 1989 and they enjoyed many memorable occasions. None better than Irish Derby day 1992 when they landed five races on a seven-race card, including a runaway success in the Derby with European champion St Jovite (giving him his second Irish Classic). The following month the colt destroyed a competitive field in the King George V1 and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes under Stephen Craine (deputising for the suspended Roche).
Other Classic honours came in the Italian Oaks (Ivyanna, 1992) and Italian 1,000 Guineas (Treasure Hope, 1992) as well as a second Irish Oaks with Margarula (2002). Globetrotting mare Alexander Goldrun kept the Coolcullen flag flying with distinction with five Group One victories in the Prix de l'Opera (2004), the Hong Kong Cup (2004), the Pretty Polly Stakes (2005 and 2006) and the Nassau Stakes (2005), as well as star juveniles Teofilo (2006 National Stakes and 2006 Dewhurst Stakes) and New Approach (2007 National Stakes and 2007 Dewhurst Stakes). Saoirse Abu earned him two Group One wins in 2007 and Lush Lashes proved another big money spinner, landing three Group Ones (Coronation Stakes, Yorkshire Oaks and Matron Stakes) in 2008 to add to her €1 million victory in the Goffs Fillies Million the previous year.
Completed a unique Group One double at Leopardstown in 2008 with New Approach (Irish Champion Stakes) and Lush Lashes (Matron Stakes). New Approach's success in the Emirates Champion Stakes at Newmarket put the seal on a remarkable 2008 season. Just over half an hour earlier Intense Focus had given the Bolger team a third win on the trot in the Darley Dewhurst Stakes. Group One doubles do not come much bigger. Won his fourth Dewhurst in six years with Parish Hall in 2011 and a fifth with Dawn Approach in 2012. The colt went on to give him his first English 2,000 Guineas and then was a thrilling winner of the St James's Palace Stakes in 2013 (a race he landed with Poetic Flare in 2021). His other five winners at Royal Ascot were Easy To Please (1991 Queen Alexander Stakes), Riszard (1993 Queen Alexander Stakes), Cuis Ghaire (2008 Albany Stakes), Banimpire (2011 Ribblesdale Stakes) and Dawn Approach (2012 Coventry Stakes).
Less than two weeks after Dawn Approach's Royal Ascot heroics in the St James's Palace Stakes, he delivered on a promise to his wife Jackie to train an Irish Derby winner in her colours when Trading Leather obliged, giving him a fifth Irish Classic. It was a great day for the family with Manning (married to his daughter Una) doing the steering. Two more Irish Classics were added to the pot with Pleascach (2015 Irish 1,000 Guineas) and Mac Swiney (2021 Irish 2,000 Guineas), as well as a fifth British Classic with Poetic Flare in the English 2,000 Guineas in 2021.
Along with Dermot Weld, he dominated the Irish Flat season in the 80s and early 90s, their keen rivalry never far from the surface. In 1990 he beat Senator Jim Parkinson's 1923 record of 137 wins by winning a total of 148 races, Flat and National Hunt combined, but the following year Weld claimed the record - which is currently held by Aidan O'Brien - with a total of 150.
A sharp critic of how racing is run, he gained a historic victory over the Irish Turf Club in the High Court in August 1999 which led to alterations in the rule book. A former chairman of the Irish Racehorse Trainers' Association, he was a member of the Irish Horseracing Authority (IHA).
His reputation for producing racing's next generation of top-class jockeys and trainers is remarkable with the likes of champion jumps jockey Tony McCoy, multiple Classic-winning Flat trainer Aidan O'Brien and Ireland's most successful jump trainer Willie Mullins products of the Coolcullen academy.
BOLGER FACTFILE
Born: Oylegate, Co Wexford, Christmas Day 1941.
Married: to Jackie 1965; two daughters, Fiona and Una.
First winner: Peaceful Pleasure, Roscommon, September 20, 1976.
Irish Classic winners (7): 1,000 Guineas (Finsceal Beo 2007; Pleascach 2015); 2,000 Guineas (Mac Swiney 2021); Derby (St Jovite 1992, Trading Leather 2013); Oaks (Give Thanks 1983, Margarula 2002).
British Classic winners (5): 1,000 Guineas (Finsceal Beo 2007); 2,000 Guineas (Dawn Approach 2013, Poetic Flare 2021); Derby (New Approach 2008); Oaks (Jet Ski Lady 1991).
Other Classic winners: Oaks d'Italia (Ivyanna 1992); Premio Regina Elena - Italian 1,000 Guineas (Treasure Hope 1992)..
King George Vl and Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner: St Jovite (1992).
Hong Kong Cup winner: Alexander Goldrun (2004).
Irish Champion Stakes winners (2): Park Express (1986), New Approach (2008).
Champion Stakes winner: New Approach (2008).
Royal Ascot winners (9): Flame of Tara (1983 Coronation Stakes); Easy To Please (1991 Queen Alexander Stakes); Riszard (1993 Queen Alexander Stakes); Lush Lashes (2008 Coronation Stakes); Cuis Ghaire (2008 Albany Stakes); Banimpire (2011 Ribblesdale Stakes); Dawn Approach (2012 Coventry Stakes); Dawn Approach (2013 St James's Palace Stakes); Poetic Flare (2021 St James's Palace Stakes).
Other big winners in Britain: Cheveley Park Stakes (Park Appeal 1984); Dewhurst Stakes (Teofilo 2006, New Approach 2007, Intense Focus 2008, Parish Hall 2011, Dawn Approach 2012); Nassau Stakes (Park Express 1986, Alexander Goldrun 2005); Futurity Trophy (Mac Swiney 2020); Yorkshire Oaks (Condessa 1981, Lush Lashes 2008, Pleascach 2015).
Big winners in France: Prix de l'Opera (Alexander Goldrun 2004); Criterium International (Loch Garman 2012); Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp (Polonia 1987); Prix Marcel Boussac (Finsceal Beo 2006).
Other big winners in Ireland: Matron Stakes (Upward Trend 1989, Dazzling Park 1999, Lush Lashes 2008); Moyglare Stakes (Park Appeal 1984, Priory Belle 1995, Saoirse Abu 2007); National Stakes (Teofilo 2006, New Approach 2007, Dawn Approach 2012, Verbal Dexterity 2017); Phoenix Stakes (Eva Luna 1994, Mantovani 1996, Saoirse Abu 2007); Pretty Polly Stakes (Flame of Tara 1983, Noora Abu 1989, Alexander Goldrun 2005 and 2006);Tattersalls Gold Cup (Erins Isle 1981, Perfect Imposter 1994).
Irish Champion Hurdle: Nordic Surprise (1991), Chirkpar (1992).
Main jockeys: Declan Gillespie, Christy Roche and Kevin Manning.
CECIL BRABAZON
Born: Co Westmeath, 1884-1972
ONE OF six children, Cecil Brabazon was champion amateur in Ireland 1920, 1922 and 1923 and champion trainer in 1940 after training his third Irish Grand National (following the victories of Bohernore in 1921 and Pontet in 1937) winner in Jack Chaucer who went on to land the inaugural running of the valuable Red Cross Chase.
A founding member of the Irish Racehorse Trainers Association in 1950, his outstanding horse on the Flat was Beau Sabreur, winner of the 1948 Irish 2,000 Guineas and Irish St Leger - was denied the opportunity to win the Irish Triple Crown when Beau Sabreur was forced to miss the Irish Derby - and subsequently the first Irish-trained runner in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in 1949, finishing seventh behind the Charles Semblat-trained Coronation. He also sent Beau Sabreur to England to win the Coronation Cup at Epsom in 1949.
By the time of his retirement in 1960 he had trained the winners of three Irish Grand Nationals, two Galway Plates, two Galway Hurdles and two Red Cross Chases, an Irish 2,000 Guineas and St Leger, two Phoenix Stakes, a National Stakes and five runnings of the Irish Lincolnshire, making him one of the great dual-purpose trainers. He died in 1972, aged 88.
His brother Leslie was an outstanding amateur rider who went on to become champion jockey in 1913. Son Aubrey, who took over the training at his father's Rangers Lodge stables on the Curragh, was one of the all-time great jockeys of his generation, winning three Cheltenham Gold Cups on Cottage Rake (1948, 1949 and 1950), two Champion Hurdles on Hatton's Grace (1949 and 1950) and two Irish Classics on Masaka (1948 Oaks) and Mighty Ocean (1950 2,000 Guineas)..
LIAM BROWNE
Born: 1937
LIAM BROWNE rode for some of the best trainers (Mickey Rogers, Vincent O'Brien, Paddy 'Darkie' Prendergast, John Oxx Snr) in Irish racing before training Classic and Cheltenham winners in a career that spanned over half a century. But he is probably better known as one of the greatest producers of jockeys of all time. Those he transformed into top-notch riders include Michael Kinane, Jamie Spencer, Tommy Carmody, Stephen Craine and Mark Dwyer.
In 1978, the former three-time apprentice champion (1956, 1957 and 1958) saddled Mr Kildare to win the Sun Alliance Hurdle, two years later Slaney Idol landed the Supreme Novices' Hurdle and in 1982 Dara Monarch won both the Irish 2,000 Guineas and the St James's Palace Stakes.
Had remarkable success with horses he paid very little for. Dara Monarch, who cost 5,000 guineas, was subsequently sold for Ir£1 million and another cheap purchase was Carlingford Castle who cost 7,500 guineas and was sold for £660,000 after finishing second to Teenoso in the 1983 Epsom Derby.
Trained nearly 800 winners in his career from his Maddenstown Lodge base, including 58 in Group and Listed races before handing in his licence in 2004. Following his retirement, he was honoured by his fellow trainers when presented with a Hall of Fame award for his contribution to racing.
Son Martin, a former Unidare Apprentice Champion, trains at Pollardstown on the Curragh while another son, Dermot, was a dual champion amateur in Britain before being "warned off" for 20 years for doping horses. Grandson Max Browne rode his first winner on Latest Exhibition at Naas in 2019.
ANNE BULLITT BIDDLE
Born: Paris, 1924-2007
ANNE BULLITT Biddle made Irish racing history at Naas on August 31st, 1966, by officially becoming the first woman to own and train a winner when Flying Tiger landed the Cork Stakes under the name of Mrs Daniel B Brewster (her fourth and last husband). As an owner, she employed Tommy Shaw to train for her and they enjoyed considerable success (110 winners between 1958 and 1964), including Classic glory with Zenobia (1960 Irish 1,000 Guineas).
Most of the winners, ridden by stable jockey Liam Ward, were bred at her impressive Palmerstown Stud at Johnstown just outside Naas. Landed two consecutive National Stakes with Mystery (1961) and Partholon (1962), and finished runner-up to the Harry Wragg-trained Fidalgo with Bois Belleau in the 1959 Irish Derby. Partholon also won her an Ebor, and she enjoyed many notable successes with Atlantida, China Slipper, Islam, Jongleur, Le Prince, March Wind, Milesian, Mississipi, Renegade, Sarissa, Scissors, Tragedy and Westen Wind. L'Homme Arme finished third behind Linacre in the 1963 Irish 2,000 Guineas in the famous navy and white silks.
A four-times married American (including to Roderic More O'Ferrall which ended acrimoniously in annulment and divorce), she was temporarily Mrs Bullitt Biddle (she married Nicholas Duke Biddle in 1947, an American diplomat, that also ended in divorce) at the time of her victories with the Michael Dawson-trained Sindon in 1958 Irish Derby, and Zenobia. In 1963 Ionian came mighty close to winning the Biddle/Shaw/Ward team an English Classic but was agonisingly denied in the 2,000 Guineas by Jimmy Lindley on Only For Life. It took fully five minutes for the judge to call the Jeremy Tree-trained colt the short-head winner.
Historians would be forgiven for scratching their heads as the multi-lingual and glamorous owner landed a hat-trick of Galway Plate successes under three different names. Amber Point won in 1954 under the name of Mrs Anne Moen Bullitt. He won again in 1956 owned by Mrs Roderic More O'Ferrall. But when Knight Errant won the Plate in 1957, and followed up in the Galway Hurdle 12 months later, he did so for Mrs Anne Bullitt Biddle. All were trained by the legendary Paddy Sleator.
Her father was a millionaire diplomat (William Christian Bullitt, first American ambassador to Russia) and her mother was Louise Bryant, a left-wing journalist portrayed by Diane Keating in the film Reds. Warren Beatty played the role of Bryant's first husband, John Reed (author of Ten Days That Shook the World), in the same 1981 movie. Born in Paris, she was deeply devoted to her father, and was a constant companion and aide throughout his travels and foreign assignments in the 1930s. Her first marraige (at the age of 19), to Staff Sergeant Casper Wistar Barton Townsend Jr, also ended in divorce.
She relinquished her licence in 1965 to concentrate on the bloodstock end of the business. When she died in a home in Dublin in August 2007, aged 83, she was a ward of the Irish Court, a far cry from her glamorous days as a wealthy heiress with a taste for designer clothes. She is interred next to her father under her maiden name, Anne Moen Bullitt, in Woodlands Cemetery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
MICHAEL COLLINS
Born: Co Cork, 1896-1961
THE COMBINATION of Michael C Collins, owner Joe McGrath and jockey Morny Wing proved an unstoppable force in the 1940s duing the war years. Prepared at his Conyngham Lodge stables on the Curragh, his five Irish Classic winners were: one 1,000 Guineas (Panastrid 1945); two 2,000 Guineas (Solonaway 1949 and Windsor Slipper 1942); one Derby (Windsor Slipper 1942) and one St Leger (Windsor Slipper 1942). Windsor Slipper's unbeaten six-race career saw the colt complete the Irish Triple Crown (2,000 Guineas, Derby, St Leger) in 1942. He finished leading trainer on four occassions (1945, 1943, 1942 and 1941), helping McGrath, a legend in the modern history of the Irish Turf, to be crowned leading owner for the first time in 1942 (33 races worth 7,972) - he went on to repeat the performance five times running (1943, 1944, 1945 and 1946) as well as heading the list in 1955, 1957 and 1959.
Son Con, who died in January 2007 (aged 82), trained Princess Pati to win the Irish Oaks in 1984 and enjoyed considerable success since launching his career in 1952. A former amateur rider, he handled several top-class juveniles in Sandy Creek, winner of Doncaster's Futurity Stakes, Abergwaun and Goodwood winners Almaty and Lady Alexander. Chelsea Rose landed the Group One Moyglare Stakes for the stables in 2004, the same year he was honoured by Horse Racing Ireland with an award for his outstanding contribution to Irish racing. Daughter Tracey took over her father's licence and in 2023 made the decision to take out a joint-training licence with Group One-winning trainer Michael Halford in what is just the second official training partnership in Ireland.
MICHAEL DAWSON
Born: Co Kildare, 1865-1926
ALONG WITH Jim Parkinson and Maxwell Arnott, Michael John Dawson was one of the dominant training figures in the early 1900s, operating from his Rathbride Manor stables on the Curragh. In terms of money won, he claimed 10 championships between 1906 and 1926. Saddled six Irish Classic winners, including four Derbys (St Brendan 1902, Royal Arch 1904, Killeagh 1906 and Bachelor's Double (1909) and two Oaks (Marievale 1902, Tullynacree 1911). He won the Irish Cesarewitch four times (1903, 1907, 1912 and 1917), nine Anglesea Stakes, six National Stakes, four Railway Stakes and the Phoenix Stakes twice. He also dabbled in National Hunt with considerable success, training his own horse Sweet Cecil to win an Irish Grand National in 1907, as well as Kilbarry's victory in 1924. Sprinter Hornet's Beauty won 31 of 55 starts, including an unbeaten run of 15 races in 1915. He had 1,645 winners as a trainer, setting a record for prizemoney in 1908 that was not beaten until 1923 by Jim Parkinson. As a jockey he rode three Irish Derby winners (Kentish Fire 1890, Roy Neil 1892 and Bowline 1893). He died December 22nd, 1926 and was regarded as one of the greatest jockeys/breeders/trainers of his generation. He was succeeded at Rathbride by his son Joseph and subsequently by another son Michael, who trained Sindon to win the Irish Derby in 1958.
JAMES DUNNE
Born: 1841-1927
JAMES DUNNE, nicknamed Fairy, sent out two Irish Derby winners (Sylph 1883 and St Kevin 1885) from his base at The Heath, Maryborough, for the Blake family but enjoyed even more success when building his own stables, Osborne Lodge (named after his mentor Joseph Osborne), on the Little Curragh. Two more Derbys followed with Flax Park (1905) and Wild Bouquet (1908) as well as five Irish Oaks (Sapling 1895, Copstone Filly 1904, Reina 1907, May Edgar 1914 and Captive Princess 1916) and the first three runnings of the Irish St Leger (La Paloma 1915, Captive Princess 1916 and Double Scotch 1917). He sent out Arbitrator to win the Liverpool Autumn Cup at Aintree in 1877 as well as numerous victories in the Irish Cesarewitch, the Madrid Handicap, the National Stakes, the Beresford Stakes, the Anglesea Stakes and the Phoenix 1500.
BOB FETHERSTONHAUGH
Born: Co Westmeath, 1873-1950.
A NATIVE of Carrick, Mullingar, Robert Fetherstonhaugh rode as an amateur in his youth before starting as assistant to the Blakes at Maryborough. Teamed up with Atty Persse after his retirement from the saddle, but showed natural flair when he set up on his own just before the start of World War One. Trained for 10 years outside Mullingar until moving to Loughbrown Cottage, the Curragh.
Won the Irish Grand National three times with Copper Court (1932), Ballybogan (1925) and Dog Fox. With the outbreak of the Second World War came a change in emphasis when Major Dermot McCalmont, owner of the famous Mount Juliet Stud in Kilkenny, sent his horses to the non-betting trainer instead of the English-based Persse. Trained Circus Lady for a famous victory over French challenger Coronation V in the 1949 Irish Oaks (a race he also landed with Avoca 1944), probably one of the proudest moments of his life.
He died in 1950 after training nine Irish Classic winners, as well as finishing leading trainer in 1944. His other seven Classic victories were: two 1,000 Guineas (Sunlit Ride 1949 and Spy-Ann 1933); one 2,000 Guineas (Slide On 1944); two Derbys (Picadilly 1945 and Slide On 1944) and two St Legers (Cassock 1946 and Skoiter 1939). Was succeeded at Loughbrown by his son, Brud, who was successful in two Irish Classics with Shandon Belle (1962 1,000 Guineas) and Agar's Plough (1955 Oaks). Sent three horses to Royal Ascot in 1961 and landed a treble with Bun Penny, Silver Tor and Prince Tor. He died in 1987.
JESSICA HARRINGTON
Born: London, 1947
IN A sport inherently dominated by males, Jessica Harrington's achievements as a dual-purpose trainer have truly broken the mould for female trainers in Ireland. Anne Bullitt Biddle and Toby Wellesley may have set the pioneering ball rolling but the Moone handler has taken it to a whole new level. She has won the Gold Cup, the Champion Chase, the Champion Hurdle and the Irish Grand National over jumps and is the most successful female trainer of all-time at the Cheltenham Festival. On the Flat success has come in two Irish Classics, Royal Ascot and Group Ones both at home and abroad.
Steeped in horses - she grew up at Rahinston House in Co Meath and was seldom out of the saddle - she has long been one of the country's finest horsewomen, representing Ireland in three-day eventing at the Olympics and World and European Championships. Her father, Brigadier Bryan Fowler, was a silver medallist on the British polo team at the 1936 Olympics.
The experience in the demanding discipline of equestrian sport would prove pivotal in her training career which was launched in her 40s. Progress was solid rather than spectacular after taking over husband Johnny's permit in 1984, with her first 10 seasons producing 80 jumps winners, although she did enjoy her first significant Flat success wiith Hav-A-Heart in the 1985 Irish Lincolnshire at the Curragh.
In the early 90s she swapped the permit for a full licence and Oh So Grumpy soon delivered an important landmark victory. His win at Galway in 1994 meant she was the first woman to train a Galway Hurdle winner. The breakthrough year though came in 1999 when Space Trucker - a first graded winner in Britain in the 1996 Fighting Fifth Hurdle - landed her a first Cheltenham Festival winner in the Grand Annual and Moscow Flyer recorded his first Grade One in the Royal Bond. Her handling of Moscow Flyer, bought by Johnny at Tattersall's Derby Sales in 1998 for 17,000 guineas, was simply masterful, winning an Arkle, two Champion Chases, two Melling Chases and two Tingle Creeks. He was one of the great stars of the jumping game, winning 26 races, 19 of them over fences including 10 Grade Ones before he retired in 2006.
She is the most successful female trainer at the Cheltenham Festival with 11 winners, passing Jenny Pitman's tally of eight in 2017 with three winners. That year she famously saddled Sizing John to win the Gold Cup and masterminded Jezki's Champion Hurdle victory three years earlier in 2014. She is determined to complete the 'full house' in the Stayers' Hurdle and it would be a brave person to suggest she won't achieve it. She came close in 2018 when Supasundae - conqueror of the mighty Faugheen in the same year's Irish Champion Hurdle - finished second to Penhill. Sizing Europe was the first horse to win the Irish Gold Cup, the Cheltenham Gold Cup and the Punchestown Gold Cup in the same season. An extraordinary spring was made even better for her and jockey Robbie Power when the novice Our Duke came home 14 lengths clear in Irish Grand National, cementing her place in the record books.
She has won most of Ireland's major jumps races, including two Irish Champion Hurdles (Macs Joy 2005, Supasundae 2018), four Punchestown Champion Hurdles (Moscow Flyer 2001, Macs Joy 2006, Jezki 2014, Supasundae 2018), Punchestown Champion Chase (Moscow Flyer 2004), Champion Stayers Hurdle (Jetson 2014, Jezki 2015), John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase (Sizing John 2017) and a Hatton's Grace Hurdle (Jezki 2013). Other notable wins in Britain came in the Midlands Grand National (Miss Orchestra 1998 and Intelligent 2003) and in the Aintree Hurdle with Jezki (2015) and Supasundae (2019).
With all bar half a dozen of her current string Flat racers, it was Curtain Call's success in the 2007 Group Two Beresford Stakes at the Curragh that whetted our appetites for what was to follow. Her really big day on the level arrived at the same track with Pathfork's victory in the 2010 National Stakes proving she could train a Group One winner on the Flat.
No-one should have doubted it for a minute as superstar filly Alpha Centauri delivered her first Classic success and Royal Ascot winner in the 2018 Irish 1,000 Guineas and Group One Coronation Stakes (in a record time). The Niarchos-owned filly went on to reel off two more Group Ones (four consecutive) in the Falmouth Stakes and the Prix Jacques La Marois. A second Coronation followed in 2020 with Alpine Star, a half-sister of Alpha Centaur.
Landed her second Irish Classic when Ribblesdale Stakes scorer Magical Lagoon showed all her stamina and battling qualilies to win the 2022 Irish Oaks. More Group One honours arrived courtesy of Millisle (2019 Cheveley Park Stakes), Albigna (2019 Prix Marcel Boussac), Lucky Vega (2020 Phoenix Stakes), No Speak Alexander (2021 Matron Stakes), Discoveries (2021 Moyglare Stakes), Hotazhell (2024 William Hill Futurity Trophy) and Barnavara (2025 Prix de l'Opera).
Villanova Queen was her fourth winner at Royal Ascot in the Kensington Palace Fillies' Handicap in 2023.
Daughters Emma and assistant trainer Kate are important cogs in the business wheel at Commonstown Stud. In 2023 she appeared on the RTE podcast Upfront to reveal she was diagnosed with breast cancer in October 2022 but remained defiant and positive about her illness. Hotazhell's victory in the William Hill Futurity Trophy (2024) gave her a first Group or Grade One success since her illness was made public.
Huband Johnny died in 2014, aged 77, after a lengthy battle with the same disease. Her brother, John Fowler, was a top-class amateur rider and trained 1989 Irish Grand National winner Maid Of Money. He was tragically killed in an accident on his farm in Co Meath in December 2008.
Her amazing career was recognised by the Contribution to the Industry Award at the annual Horse Racing Ireland Awards in 2023.
HUBERT HARTIGAN
Born: 1882-1955
BROTHER OF the great Frank Hartigan (who trained over 2,000 winners in England on the flat and over jumps), Hubert Moore Hartigan was a top-class jockey before launching his training career. Moved to England in the 1930s but returned to Ireland at the outbreak of the Second World War, finishing leading trainer on three occasions (1946, 1947 and 1948). Set an Irish record in prize-money in 1937, beating Jim Parkinson's 1923 record, and bettered it in 1948. His 13 Irish Classic winners, which places him fourth on the all-time list, were: a record seven 1,000 Guineas (Pantomine Queen 1954, Nashua 1952, Sea Symphony 1947, Ella Retford 1946, Anetta 1944, Majideh 1942 and Moucheron 1928); one 2,000 Guineas (Claro 1946); three Oaks (Pantomine Queen 1954, Masaka 1948 and Majideh 1942) and two St Legers (Esprit de France 1947 and Etoile de Lyons 1941). Zita Hartigan, well known equine artist and sculptor, is his daughter. Uncles Garry and Willie Moore, natives of Co Galway (their father John is widely regarded as the first professional trainer in Ireland), were outstanding jockeys and trainers.
SHEM JEFFREY
BORN IN England, Sam Jeffrey preceeded Col Arthur Blake at The Heath, Maryborough, training the winners of 10 Irish Classics, iincluding Lady Violette (1922) and Soldennis (1921), winners of the inaugural runnings of the Irish 1,000 and 2,000 Guineas respectively. He also saddled Soldumend to win the 1923 running of the 2,000 Guineas as well as three Irish Derbys (Oppressor 1899, Gulsalberk 1896, Portmarnock 1895), three Irish Oaks (Dabchick 1897, Mary Lester 1903, Place Royale 1920) and an Irish St Leger (O'Dempsey 1923).
KEVIN KERR
A LEADING trainer in the 50s and 60s, Kevin Richard Kerr won the 1953 Irish 2,000 Guineas and Irish St Leger with Sea Charger and the 1965 Irish 2,000 Guineas with Green Banner, all owned by his brother Bert. He trained mainly for his older sibling, a prominent bloodstock agent and owner whose red and black racing colours were those of Bohemian FC. Bert set up the agency, Kerr and Co Ltd, while still playing football for the League of Ireland side in 1920, and it still trades as one of the oldest bloodstock ageny in the world under his nephew, Bert Jr.
Kevin also played for, and captained, Bohemians and was a former president of the Dublin club. He trained at Summerseat, Clonee, Co Meath. He was also a partner in Kerr and Co Ltd. His best horse Sea Charger was only beaten three-quarters of a length by Nearula in the 1953 Champion Stakes at Newmarket.
Among other big-race winners trained by him were Royal Avenue in the 1961 Gallinule Stakes, Green Banner in the 1964 Anglesey Stakes, Irish Chorus in the 1962 Heinz 57 Phoenix Stakes, Persian (1957), Desert Call (1969) in the Greenlands Stakes, Orofino in the 1961 Irish Cesarewitch and two consecutive National Produce Stakes with Calvero (1953) and Sea Charger (1952). He won the Irish Cambridgeshire twice (Vaquero 1956 and Red Trooper 1969), and his four victories in the Rockingham Handicap included two with Desert Call (1967 and 1969), as well as Lady Courine (1962) and High Heed (1968). Calvero finished third to Arctic Wind in the 1954 Irish 2,000 Guineas.
A qualified veterinary surgeon, he died in Beaumont Hospital April 15th 2005.
GER LYONS
Born: Co Dublin
A SUCCESSFUL jump jockey in Britain before injury forced his retirement in 1989, Ger Lyons began his training career in his native Ireland in 1994 and was quick to make his mark in both Flat and National Hunt racing. Landed a first Classic success in the Irish 2,000 Guineas with Siskin in 2020, and a month later Even So gave him a second in the Irish Oaks. Notched his landmark first Breeders' Cup winner when Magnum Force stormed to a thrilling success in the 2024 Juvenile Turf Sprint.
Has concentrated solely on the Flat since the mid-2000s and enjoyed a number of Group race successes with the likes of Elletelle (2007 Queen Mary Stakes), Lightening Pearl (2011 Cheveley Park Stakes), Camorra, Capella Sansevero, Medicine Jack, Ainippe, Atomic Jones, Bear Cheek, Zarinsk and Ardhoomey. Horses like An Tadh, Endless Drama, Lily's Angel and Brendan Bracken were others to raise the yard's profile.
Teamed up with jockey Colin Keane in 2014 and the pair shared a first Group One success with Siskin in the Phoenix Stakes in 2020. Shortly afterwards they combined to win the £1m Ebor Handicap at York with Mustajeer. Babouche extended her unbeaten record to three with a convincing victory in the 2024 Phoenix Stakes, becoming the first filly to win the race in 13 years.
Offiah brought up winner 1,000 at Roscommon in 2021 while his first was Maelong at Navan in 1994. Trains at Glenburnie Stables in Dunsany, Co Meath.
DICK McCORMICK
Born: Co Meath, 1894-1963
ALTHOUGH A very successful trainer in his own right, one of Richard Joseph McCormick's greatest ever achievements was the way he handled and cared for The Tetrarch - one of the most influential stallions on the worldwide stud book - during his days as an apprentice with the famous Hampshire-based trainer Atty Persse who was born in Rahoon, Co Galway. A notoriously tempermental horse who was nearly impossible to handle, The Tetrarch was ridden in his races by the legendary Steve Donoghue who was quick to acknowledge the part played by the young apprentice who was the only other man to have ever sat on The Tetrarch's back 'long enough to stay up there'.
He was born in Clonmahon, Summerhill where he honed his riding skills in the point-to-point fields around Co Meath. Returning home after the outbreak of World War Two, and relying on what he had learned under Persse and Donoghue, he began training at Clonbarron House, Kildalkey in 1943, turning out 40 winners between 1944 and 1946 with a relatively small string. Probably the best horse he trained was the filly Linaria, winner of the Irish Oaks (1946), and the Railway Stakes and Beresford Stakes as a juvenile. Other good horses he handled, mostly fillies, were Lady's View, Red Anita, Gigi, Sabot D'Or, Wattle Blossom and Sally Hall.
He was also renowned for producing good apprentices and probably none better than Patrick 'Mutt' Conlon from Kilmessan who was champion apprentice in 1949 and 1950 (sharing the title with Jimmy Mullane). He won a record 35 races in 1949 including the Royal Whip and Anglesey Stakes, the Irish Lincolnshire and the Ulster Cambridgeshire, the Maher Nursery and the National Produce Stakes. He was tragically killed in a fall on the flat at Kilbeggan in 1952 riding the Tony Riddle Martin-trained Timber Topper.
When he passed away in 1963, son Richard took over the running of the stables - now based at Summerhill House on the Curragh - becoming the youngest ever trainer in Ireland at 16. He had one other son, Mark, and two daughters, Irene and Valerie.
SEAMUS McGRATH
Born: 1923-2005
THE ACHIEVEMENTS of Seamus McGrath over a career spanning 41 years (1942-1983) were remarkable considering the ammunition was almost exclusively supplied by the McGrath family, one of the greatest owner-breeder names in Irish racing. His late father, the legendary Joe, who was a member of the first Dail and the driving force behind the establishment of the Racing Board (now the Irish Horseracing Authority) and the Irish Hospitals Sweepstakes, provided him with his first winner, Tayanglet, at his local Leopardstown track (1943).
From the historic Glencairn stables - former home of Ireland's first Epsom Derby hero Orby - he turned out six Irish Classic winners: Silken Glider (1957 Oaks); Panaslipper (1959 Derby); Royal Danseuse (1964 1,00 Guineas); Allangrange (1970 St Leger); Weavers' Hall (1973 Derby) and Furry Glen (1974 2,000 Guineas).
Career highlight was the achievements of his versatile and brilliant performer Levmoss, who in 1969 won the Prix du Cadran, the Ascot Gold Cup and Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, beating the top-class mare Park Top. Sweet Mimosa (winner of 1970 French Oaks), Alciglide and Roistar were other exceptional horses to carry in the famous green and red livery. He sent out the winners of nine Royal Ascot races.
In the modern era of racing, his achievement of topping both the trainers' (41 and a half races worth 89,616) and owners' (23 and a half races worth 80,454) lists in 1973 is unique. Claimed four titles (1955, 1957 and 1961 were the other three) in terms of prize-money won and six (1955, 1956, 1957, 1961, 1964 and 1968) in number of winners. Retired in 1983 (after saddling over 1,350 winners) because of increasing training costs. Was a member of the Irish Turf Club and a former steward. Pat Eddery (11 times champion jockey in Britain), whose father Jimmy rode with great success for the stable, began his career as a young apprentice at Glencairn. A legend of the Irish Turf, he died in the summer of 2005 aged 83.
STUART MURLESS
Born: 1917-1994
THE YOUNGER brother of Sir Noel Murless (winner of 19 English Classics), Stuart Murless had a long and successful career in Ireland, securing Classic successes with Pampapaul (1977 Irish 2,000 Guineas), Nocturnal Spree (English 1,000 Guineas), Sicilian Prince (1962 Prix Royal Oak) and Royal Highway (1958 Irish St Leger). He took out a licence in 1950 and was based at Loughbrown Lodge stables on the Curragh.
He was brought up in Cheshire and after war service in North Africa, Italy and Sicily, he became assistant to Noel. An intended week's holiday in Ireland resulted in him staying, intially as private trainer to Lord Glentoran and Sir Thomas Dixon. Following their deaths, he took out a public licence.
He won two National Stakes with Pampapaul (1976) and Reubens (1965), and Royal Highway (1958) and Sicilian Prince (1962) were successful in the Blandford Stakes. Sicilian Prince also won the 1962 Desmond Stakes and the Futurity Stakes in 1961. Hereford (1963) and Beddard (1965) gave him two victories at Royal Ascot in the Queen's Vase. Deep Run, one of the most outstanding jumping sires of all time, won four races for the yard, including the Beresford Stakes in 1968, and ran second in the Dewhurst Stakes and the Irish St Leger (1969). He was bought by John Magnier for 6,600 guineas at the 1970 Newmarket December Sales in what proved to be one of the bargain buys of the century.
Ultimate ll won the Tetrarch Stakes and finished runner-up to Paveh in the 1966 Irish 2,000 Guineas. Other useful performers were National Wish (1975 Heinz 57 Phoenix Stake), Little Hawk (1968 Irish Lincolnshire), Sea Horse (1973 1,000 Guineas Trial), Sea Break (1975 2,000 Guineas Trial), Deep Lavender (1964 International Stakes), Garnons (Scurry Handicap), Hobson (1959 Curragh Stakes), Opachisco (1980 Golden Pages Handicap), Strong Drink (1970 Rockingham Handicap). He retired in 1983 after 33 years as a trainer and died in Dublin's Meath Hospital in December 1994, aged 77.
AIDAN O'BRIEN
Born: Co Wexford, 1969
AIDAN PATRICK O'Brien's (top of page) climb from the bottom rung of the ladder to the top in a 30-year training career is what Hollywood scripts are made of. By no means the conventional racing success story (father Denis was a farmer and small-scale trainer in Killegney, Co Wexford), he was not born into the sport and he did not inherit a training yard. Was assistant to Jim Bolger and his wife, Annemarie - who became the first female champion trainer when landing the Irish jumps title in the 1992-93 season - before launching his career at Tralee on June 7th, 1993. Two winners that day hardly prepared the racing world for what was to follow. Set a prize-money record in his first jumps season; became the first trainer in Ireland to win 100 races in his first year; the following year set an Irish record of 178 wins (Flat and jumps combined) in a calendar year and amazingly broke it in 1995 with a staggering total of 242 winners. Holds five jump championships and enjoyed three wins in Cheltenham's Champion Hurdle with Istabraq.
With his move in 1996 to Ballydoyle - where his famous predecessor, Vincent O'Brien, ruled the roost for many years - to train privately for John Magnier (and his associates, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, George von Opel and Peter Brant) and subsequent decision to confine his attention exclusively to the Flat, he has carved out a special niche in Irish racing, the ammunition being supplied conveyor-belt style by Magnier's hugely successful Coolmore Stud operation in Fethard, Co Tipperary. Known and revered around the world, his record in Classic races both at home and abroad is phenomenal. In only his second season at the helm of the Tipperary yard, he confirmed his intentions when winning three Irish Classics: 1,000 Guineas, 2,000 Guineas and Derby. The successes have since flowed with monotonous regularity. Already he has accumulated 114 European Classics (48 British; 55 Irish and 11 French) and 21 Breeders' Cup successes. His eighth win in the 2025 Juvenile Turf at Del Mar with Gstaad was his 21st at the Breeders' Cup, making him the winning-most trainer at the Breeders' Cup. Bob Baffert tied that record 24 hours later when Nysos won the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile.
Auguste Rodin was a ninth Epsom Derby success in 2023 in a Classic generally accepted to be the greatest test of a thoroughbred, and the Deep Impact colt went on to become the 19th horse to complete the coveted Epsom/Curragh Derby double as well as recording a record-extending seventh success in the Longines Breeders' Cup Turf at Santa Anita. And like Auguste Rodin, City Of Troy bounced back from his 2024 2,000 Guineas disappointment at Newmarket to win the Betfred Derby - providing his trainer with a record-extending 10th success in the Epsom Classic - the Coral Eclipse at Sandown and the Juddmonte International Stakes at York. Lambourn maintained that stranglehold in 2025 with a third consecutive victory in the race and an 11th success overall, and a win in the Irish Derby - the trainer's 17th - saw him emulate his sire Australia who won both Derbys in 2014.
The 2001 season - when he gained the first of his seven British Flat trainers' titles - yielded 23 Group One successes (then a world record, beating US trainer Bob Baffert's previous best of 22) headed by the Vodafone Derby and the Irish Derby, as well as the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes, with Galileo. The record was broken two years later by Bobby Frankel's with 25 Grade One winners. The victory of Septimus in the 2008 Irish St Leger saw him become the first trainer since Jack Rogers (in 1935) to achieve a clean sweep of the Irish Classics, following the earlier wins of Halfway To Heaven (1,000 Guineas), Henrythenavigator (2,000 Guineas), Frozen Fire (Derby) and Moonstone (Oaks).
Mastercraftman's 2009 success in the Irish 2,000 Guineas was significant in that it was his ninth successive Irish Classic winner, while Camelot's 2012 Irish Derby win meant he beat Vincent O'Brien's career record of 27 Irish Classic winners. The victory of Was in the 2012 Epsom Oaks gave him a career 200th Group One success, while Yeats's win in the 2007 Irish St Leger - his first in that Classic - was significant in that it lifted him above Dermot Weld as leading trainer of Irish Classic winners currently training.
Another milestone was reached when Dylan Thomas gave him his first success in the 2007 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. Fame And Glory's victory in the Criterium de Saint-Cloud, the final Group One of the European 2008 season, was the trainer's 23rd Group One win of an incredible campaign (equalling his 2001 tally) that saw him lift both trainers' titles at home and in Britain (becoming the youngest ever, and the first Irishman since Vincent O'Brien in 1971, to do so). He is the holder of eight British titles (2001, 2002, 2007, 2008, 2016, 2017, 2024 and 2025) and 27 domestic crowns, including 2018 when he saddled a record 152 winners, breaking Jim Bolger's old mark of 139 set in 1992.
In 2017 he achieved another world record in winning 28 Group One victories, beating Bobby Frankel's previous best of 25, set in 2003. Tuesday's victory in the 2022 Epsom Oaks saw him beat John Scott's trainers' record of 40 British Classic wins that had stood for 159 years. He also holds the record for both the English 2,000 Guineas (with 10 winners) and the Epsom Derby (with ten). Saxon Warrior provided him with a 300th Group One success in the English 2,000 Guineas in 2018 while another unique distinction was achieved in 2016 when he trained the first three home in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe - Found beating Highland Reel and Order Of St George. He has trained a Group One winner in nine different countries. Henry Longfellow's success in the Group One Goffs Vincent O'Brien National Stakes in 2023 was his 4,000th winner worldwide.
Along with the late Henry Cecil, he holds the post-war record of seven for the number of Royal Ascot winners trained in a year. His seven came in 2016 and he has also topped the leading trainer award on 13 occasions, saddling 96 winners (taking over from Sir Michael Stoute in the all-time winning list in 2023). They include nine Gold Cups with Yeats (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009), Fame And Glory (2011), Leading Light (2014), Order Of St George (2016) and Kyprios (2022 and 2024), nine St James's Palace Stakes with Giant's Causeway (2000), Black Minnaloushe (2001), Rock Of Gibraltar (2002), Excellent Art (2007), Henrythenavigator (2008), Mastercraftsman (2009), Gleneagles (2015), Circus Maximus (2019) and Paddington (2023) and five Prince Of Wales's Stakes with Duke Of Marmalade (2008), So You Think (2012), Highland Reel (2017), Love (2012) and Auguste Rodin (2024), who was giving the trainer his 400th Group/Grade One win on the Flat worldwide. Another Stoute landmark was surpassed when Savethelastdance gave him his seventh success in the 2023 Irish Oaks. Minnie Hauk became the 16th filly to land the English/Irish Oaks double in 2025 and the third trained by O'Brien (Alexandrova and Snowfall were the other two). Became the first trainer in the Doncaster St Leger's 249-year history to claim three consecutive victories as Scandinavia clinched success in 2025.
Married to Annemarie, daughter of the late trainer Joe Crowley, they have four children, Joseph, Sarah, Ana and Donnacha. All of them have ridden a winner for their father. Joseph enjoyed tremendous success as number one jockey at Ballydoyle before announcing he was quitting to concentrate on training (already he has saddled the winners of two Melbourne Cups, a Breeders' Cup and British and Irish Classics). His victory on Camelot, who he also partnered to success in the Irish equivalent, in the 2012 Epsom Derby saw them becoming the only father and son partnership to win the world's most famous Flat race. Donnacha also enjoyed great success during a brief career in the saddle before turning his attention to training.
Aidan may be the greatest trainer of all-time but his laid-back and selfless approach and friendly demeanour make him a popular figure on Irish racetracks with punters and professionals alike. His endearing habit of deflecting praise to the owners and Ballydoyle staff has been one of the hallmarks of an outstanding career.
AIDAN O'BRIEN FACTFILE
Trains: Ballydoyle, Co Tipperary
Champion Amateur rider: 1993-94 season.
Champion Jumps trainer (5): 1993-94; 1994-95; 1995-96; 1996-97; 1997-98.
Champion Irish Flat trainer: Based on prize-money won (27) - 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003; 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1997.
Champion British Flat trainer (8): 2001, 2002, 2007, 2008, 2016, 2017, 2024, 2025.
First winner as trainer: Wandering Thoughts, Tralee, June 7th 1993.
First Pattern winner: Dancing Sunset.
First Group One winner: Desert King.
400th Group/Grade One winner on the Flat: Auguste Rodin - Prince Of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot 2024. Plus 22 Grade One wins over jumps.
First Classic winner: Desert King (Irish 2,000 Guineas).
Most successful horse at Group One level Flat (8 wins): Kyprios.
Most successful horse at Grade One level National Hunt (14 wins): Istabraq.
Consecutive Group One wins (7): Rock Of Gibraltar (2001-2002).
Champion Hurdle wins (3): Istabraq (2000; 1999; 1998).
Champion sprinter: Stravinsky (1999); Mozart (2001); Starspangledbanner (2010).
Irish Classic winners (55): 1,000 Guineas (Classic Park 1997, Imagine 2001, Yesterday 2003, Halfway To Heaven 2008, Misty For Me 2011, Marvellous 2014, Winter 2017, Hermosa 2019, Peaceful 2020, Empress Josephine 2021, Lake Victoria 2025); 2,000 Guineas (Desert King 1997, Saffron Walden 1999, Black Minnaloushe 2001, Rock Of Gibraltar 2002, Henrythenavigator 2008, Mastercraftsman 2009,Roderic O'Connor 2011, Power 2012, Magician 2013, Gleneagles 2015, Churchill 2017, Paddington 2023); Derby (Desert King 1997, Galileo 2001, High Chaparral 2002, Dylan Thomas 2006, Soldier Of Fortune 2007, Frozen Fire 2008, Fame And Glory 2009, Cape Blanco 2010, Treasure Beach 2011, Camelot 2012, Australia 2014, Capri 2017, Sovereign 2019, Santiago 2020, Auguste Rodin 2023, Los Angeles 2024, Lambourn 2025); Oaks (Alexandrova 2006, Peeping Fawn 2007, Moonstone 2008, Bracelet 2014, Seventh Heaven 2016, Snowfall 2021, Savethelastdance 2023), Minnie Hauk (2025); St Leger (Yeats 2007, Septimus 2008, Order Of St George 2015 and 2017, Flag Of Honour 2018, Kyprios 2022 and 2024).
British Classic winners (48): 1,000 Guineas (Virginia Waters 2005, Homecoming Queen 2012, Minding 2016, Winter 2017, Hermosa 2019, Love 2020, Mother Earth 2021); 2,000 Guineas (King Of Kings 1998, Rock Of Gibraltar 2002, Footstepinthesand 2005, George Washington 2006, Henrythenavigator 2008, Camelot 2012, Gleneagles 2015, Churchill 2017, Saxon Warrior 2018, Magna Grecia 2019); Derby (Galileo 2001, High Chaparral 2002, Camelot 2012, Ruler Of The World 2013, Australia 2014, Wings Of Eagles 2017, Anthony Van Dyck 2019, Serpentine 2020, Auguste Rodin 2023, City Of Troy 2024, Lambourn 2025); Oaks (Shahtoush 1998, Imagine 2001, Alexandrova 2006, Was 2012, Qualify 2015, Minding 2016, Forever Together 2018, Love 2020, Snowfall 2021, Tuesday 2022, Minnie Hauk 2025); St Leger (Milan 2001, Brian Boru 2003, Scorpion 2005, Leading Light 2013, Capri 2017, Kew Gardens 2018; Continuous 2023, Jan Brueghel 2024, Scandinavia 2025).
French Classic winners (11): 2,000 Guineas Poule d'Essai des Poulains (Landseer 2002, Aussie Rules 2006, Astronomer Royal 2007, The Gurkha 2016, St Mark's Basilica 2021, Henri Matisse 2025); 1,000 Guineas Poule d'Essai des Pouliches (Rose Gypsy 2001); Oaks Prix de Diane (Joan Of Arc 2021); Derby Qatar Prix du Jockey Club (St Mark's Basilica 2021, Camille Pissarro 2025); St Leger Prix Royal-Oak (Yeats 2008).
King George V1 and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes winners (4): Galileo (2001); Dylan Thomas (2007), Duke Of Marmalade (2008) and Highland Reel (2016).
Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winners (2): Dylan Thomas (2007) and Found (2016).
Breeders' Cup winners (21): Johannesburg (2001 Breeders' Cup Juvenile); High Chaparral (2002 and 2003 Breeders' Cup Turf); Man Of Iron (2009 Breeders' Cup Marathon), Wrote (2011 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf); St Nicholas Abbey (2011 Breeders' Cup Turf); George Vancouver (2012 Juvenile Turf); Magician (2013 Breeders' Cup Turf); Hit It A Bomb (2015 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf); Found (2015 Breeders' Cup Turf); Highland Reel (2016 Breeders' Cup Turf); Mendelssohn (2017 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf); Order Of Australia (2020 Breeders' Cup Mile); Mediate (2022 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf); Tuesday (2022 Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf); Victoria Road (2022 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf); Unquestionable (2023 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf); Auguste Rodin (2023 Breeders' Cup Turf); Lake Victoria (2024 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf); Henri Matesse (2024 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf); Gstaad (2025 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf)..
Hong Kong Vase winners (3): Highland Reel (2015 and 2017); Mogul (2020).
Arlington Million winners (2): Powerscourt (2005); Cape Blanco (2011).
Canadian Intrenational winners (2): Ballingarry (2002); Joshua Tree (2020).
Cox Plate winner: Adelaide (2014).
Champion Stakes winner: Magical (2019).
Irish Champion Stakes winners (13): Giant's Causeway (2000), High Chaparral (2003), Oratorio (2005), Dylan Thomas (2006 and 2007), Cape Blanco (2010), So You Think (2011), Magical (2019 and 2020), St Mark's Basilica (2021), Luxembourg (2022), Auguste Rodin (2023), Delacroix (2025).
Other Group 1 winners in Britain - Coronation Cup (10): Yeats (2005), Scorpion (2007), Soldier Of Fortune (2008), Fame And Glory (2010), St Nicholas Abbey (2011, 2012, 2013), Highland Reel (2017), Luxembourg (2024), Jan Brueghel (2025). Goodwood Cup (3): Kyprios (2022 and 2024), Scandinavia (2025); Yeats won two Goodwood Cups when the race was a Group 2. Sussex Stakes (6): Giant's Causeway (2000), Rock Of Gibraltar (2002), Henrythenavigator (2008), Rip Van Winkle (2009), The Gurkha (2016), Paddington (2023); Coral-Eclipse Stakes (9): Giant's Causeway (2000), Hawk Wing (2002), Oratorio (2005), Mount Nelson (2008), So You Think (2011), St Mark's Basilica (2021), Paddington (2023), City Of Troy (2024), Delacroix (2025); Lockinge Stakes (2): Hawk Wing (2003), Rhododenron (2018); July Cup (5): Stravinsky (1999), Mozart (2001), Starspangledbanner (2010), US Navy Flag (2018), Ten Sovereigns (2019); Qatar Nassau Stakes (6): Peeping Fawn (2007), Halfway To Heaven (2008), Minding (2016), Winter (2017), Opera Singer (2024), Whirl (2025); Juddmonte International Stakes (7): Giant's Causeway (2000), Duke Of Marmalade (2008), Rip Van Winkle (2010), Declaration Of War (2013), Australia (2014), Japan (2019), City Of Troy (2024); Yorkshire Oaks (9): Alexandrova (2006), Peeping Fawn (2007), Tapestry (2014), Seventh Heaven (2016), Love (2020), Snowfall (2021), Warm Heart (2023), Content (2024), Minnie Hauk (2025); Nunthorpe Stakes (2): Stravinsky (1999), Mozart (2001); bet365 Fillies' Mile (7): Sunspangled (1998), Listen (2007), Together Forever (2014), Minding (2015), Rhododendron (2016), Ylang Ylang (2023), Precise (2025); Queen Elizabeth 11 Stakes (4): George Washington (2006), Rip Van Winkle (2009), Excelebration (2012), Minding (2016); Juddmonte Cheveley Park Stakes (6): Brave Anna (2016), Clemmie (2017), Fairyland (2018), Tenebrism (2021), Lake Victoria (2024), True Love (2025); Middle Park Stakes (7): Minardi (2000), Johannesburg (2001), Ad Valorem (2004), Crusade (2011), US Navy Flag (2017), Ten Sovereigns (2018), Blackbeard (2022); Sun Chariot Stakes (3): Halfway To Heaven (2008), Alice Springs (2016), Roly Poly (2017); Dewhurst Stakes (8): Rock Of Gibraltar (2001), Beethoven (2009), War Command (2013), Air Force Blue (2015), Churchill (2016), US Navy Flag (2017), St Mark's Basilica (2020), City Of Troy (2023); William Hill Futurity Trophy (12): Saratoga Springs (1997), Aristotle (1999), High Chaparral (2001), Brian Boru (202), St Nicholas Abbey (2009), Camelot (2011), Kingsbarn (2012), Saxon Warrior (2017), Magna Grecia (2018), Luxembourg (2021), Auguste Rodin (2022), Hawk Mountain (2025).
Royal Ascot winners (96): Harbour Master (Coventry Stakes) 1997; Fasliyev (Coventry Stakes) and Bach (Chesham Stakes) 1999; Giant's Causeway (St James's Palace Stakes) 2000; Black Minnaloushe (St James's Palace Stakes), Landseer (Coventry Stakes), Johannesburg (Norfolk Stakes) and Mozart Jersey Stakes) 2001; Rock Of Gibraltar (St James's Palace Stakes), Sophisticat (Coronation Stakes) and Statue Of Liberty (Coventry Stakes) 2002; Moscow Ballet (Hampton Court Stakes) and Five Dynasties (King Edward Vll Stakes) 2004; Indigo Cat (Hampton Court Stakes) 2005; Ad Valorem (Queen Anne Stakes) and Yeats (Gold Cup) 2006; Henrythenavigator (Coventry Stakes), Excellent Art (St James's Palace Stakes), Yeats (Gold Cup) and Mahler (Queen's Vase) 2007; Henrythenavigator (St James's Palace Stakes), Haradasun (Queen Anne Stakes), Duke Of Marmalade Prince Of Wales's Stakes), Yeats (Gold Cup), Macarthur (Hardwicke Stakes) and Honolulu (Queen Alexandra Stakes) 2008; Mastercraftsman (St James's Palace Stakes) and Yeats (Gold Cup) 2009; Lillie Langtry (Coronation Cup), Mikhail Glinka (Queen's Vase) and Starspangledbanner (Queen Elizabeth ll Jubilee Stakes) 2010; Power (Coventry Stakes), Fame And Glory (Gold Cup), Maybe (Chesham Stakes) and Await The Dawn (Hardwicke Stakes) 2011; Ishvana (Jersey Stakes) and So You Think (Prince Of Wales's Stakes) 2012; Declaration Of War (Queen Anne Stakes), War Command (Coventry Stakes), Gale Force Ten (Jersey Stakes) and Leading Light (Gold Cup) 2013; Bracelet (Ribblesdale Stakes) and Leading Light (Gold Cup) 2014; Gleneagles (St James's Palace Stakes) , Washington DC (Windsor Castle Stakes), Waterloo Bridge (Norfolk Stakes), War Envoy (Britannia Handicap), Aloft (Queen's Vase) 2015; Caravaggio (Coventry Stakes), Even Song Ribblesdale Stakes), Order Of St George (Gold Cup), Brave Anna (Albany Stakes), Sword Fighter (Queen's Vase), Churchill (Chesham Stakes), Sir Isaac Newton (Wolferton Stakes) 2016; Highland Reel (Prince Of Wales's Stakes), Sioux Nation (Norfolk Stakes), Caravaggio (Commonwealth Cup), Winter (Coronation Stakes), September (Chesham Stakes), Idaho (Hardwicke Stakes) 2017; Kew Gardens (Queen's Vase), Hunting Horn (Hampton Court Stakes), Magic Wand (Ribblesdale Stakes), Merchant Navy (Queen Elizabeth ll Jubilee Stakes) 2018; Arizona (Coventry Stakes), Circus Maximus (St James's Palace Stakes), Southern Hills (Windsor Castle Stakes), South Pacific King George V Handicap), Japan (King Edward Vll Stakes) 2019; Circus Maximus (Queen Anne Stakes), Russian Emperor (Hampton Court Stakes), Battleground Chesham Stakes), Santiago (Queen's Vase) 2020; Love Prince Of Wales's Stakes), Point Lonsdale Chesham Stakes) 2021; Little Big Bear Windsor Castle Stakes), Kyprios (Gold Cup), Meditate albany Stakes), Changingoftheguard King Edward Vll Stakes), Broome (Hardwicke Stakes) 2022; River Tiber (Coventry Stakes), Paddington (St James's Palace Stakes), Warm Heart (Ribblesdale Stakes), Age Of Kings (Jersey Stakes) 2023; Illinois (Queen's Vase), Auguste Rodin (Prince Of Wales's Stakes), Port Fairy (Ribblesdale Stakes), Kyprios (Gold Cup), Fairy Godmother (Albany Stakes), Bedtime Story (Chesham Stakes) 2024; Gstaad (Coventry Stakes), True Love (Queen Mary Stakes), Charles Darwin (Norfolk Stakes), Garden Of Eden (Ribblesdale Stakes), Trinity College (Hampton Court Stakes) 2025.
World record for number of Group/Grade 1 winners in 2017 season (28): Churchill (Qipco 2,000 Guineas); Winter (Qipco 1,000 Guineas), Churchill (Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas), Winter (Tattersalls Irish 1,000 Guineas), Highland Reel (Investec Coronation Cup), Wings Of Eagles (Investec Derby), Highland Reel (Prince of Wales's Stakes), Caravaggio (Commonwealth Cup), Winter (Coronation Stakes), Capri (Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby), Roly Poly (Tattersalls Falmouth Stakes), Roly Poly (Prix Rothschild), Winter (Qatar Nassau Stakes), Sioux Nation (Keeneland Phoenix Stakes), Hydrangea (Coolmore Matron Stakes), Happily (Moyglare Stud Stakes), Order Of St George (Comer Group Irish St Leger), Capri (William Hill Irish St Leger), Clemmie (Juddmonte Cheveley Park), US Navy Flag (Juddmonte Middle Park), Happily (Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere), Rhododendron (Prix de l'Opera), Roly Poly (Sun Chariot Stakes), US Navy Flag (Darley Dewhurst Stakes), Hydrangea (Fillies and Mares), Saxon Warrior (Racing Post Trophy), Mendelssohn (Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf), Highland Reel (Hong Kong Vase).
Former world record for number of Group/Grade 1 winners in 2001 season (23): Rose Gypsy (French 1,000 Guineas); Black Minnaloushe (Irish 2,000 Guineas); Imagine (Irish 1,000 Guineas); Imagine (Epsom Oaks); Galileo (Epsom Derby); Black Minnaloushe (St James's Palace Stakes); Galileo (Irish Derby); Mozart (Nunthorpe Stakes); Galileo (King George V1); King Charlemagne (Prix Maurice de Gheest); Johannesburg (Phoenix Stakes); Mozart (Nunthorpe); Johannesburg (Prix Morny); Quarter Moon (Moyglare Stud Stakes); Milan (Doncaster St Leger); Hawk Wing (Irish National Stakes); Johannesburg (Middle Park Stakes); Rock Of Gibraltar (Grand Criterium); Rock Of Gibraltar (Dewhurst Stakes); Sholokhov (Gran Criterium); High Chaparral (Racing Post Trophy); Johannesburg (Breeders' Cup Juvenile) and Ballingarry (Criterium de Saint-Cloud).
Other Group One winners in Ireland: National Stakes (12): Desert King 1996, King Of Kings 1997, Beckett 2000, Hawk Wing 2001, One Cool Cat 2003, George Washington 2005, Mastercraftsman 2008, Power 2011, Gleaneagles 2014, Air Force Blue (2015), Churchill 2016, Henry Longfellow 2023; Moyglare Stakes (10): Sequoyah 2000, Quarter Moon 2001, Necklace 2003, Rumplestiltskin 2005, Misty For Me 2010, Maybe 2011, Minding 2015, Happily 2017, Love 2019, Lake Victoria 2024; Matron Stakes (3): Lillie Langtry 2010, Alice Springs 2016, Hydrangea 2017; Phoenix Stake (17): Lavery 1998, Fasliyev 1999, Minardi 2000, Johannesburg 2001, Spartacus 2002, One Cool Cat 2003, George Washington 2005, Holy Roman Emperor 2006, Mastercraftsman 2008, Alfred Nobel 2009, Zoffany 2010 Pedro The Great 2012, Dick Whittington 2014, Air Force Blue 2015, Caravaggio 2016, Sioux Nation 2017, Little Big Bear 2022; Flying Five Stakes (Was elevated to Group One status 2018): Fairyland 2019; Pretty Polly Stakes (6): Peeping Fawn 2007, Misty For Me 2011, Diamondsandrubies 2015, Minding 2016, Magical 2020, Whirl (2025); Tattersalls Gold Cup (11): Black Sam Bellamy 2003, Powerscourt 2004, Duke Of Marmalade 2008, Fame And glory 2010, So You Think 2011 and 2012, Lancaster Bomber 2018, Magical 2019 and 2020, Luxembourg 2023, Los Angeles 2025.
Other major winners in France: Criterium International (7): Mount Nelson (2006), Jan Vermeer (2009), Roderic O'Connor (2010), Johannes Vermeer (2015), Van Gogh (2020), Twain (2024), Puerto Rico (2025); Criterium de Saint-Cloud (6): Ballingarry (2001), Alberto Giacometti (2002), Fame and Glory (2008), Recital (2010), Los Angeles (2023), Pierre Bonnard (2025); Grand Prix de Paris (5): Scorpion (2005), Imperial Monarch (2012), Kew Gardens (2018), Japan (2019), Mogul (2020); Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud: Broome (2021); Prix du Cadran (2): Kyprios (2022 and 2024); Prix de l'Opera: Rhododendron (2017); Prix Jean Prat: Tenebrism (2022); Prix Ganay (2): Dylan Thomas (2007), Duke Of Marmalade (2008); Prix Jacques le Marois (2): Excelebration (2012), Diego Velazquez (2025); Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere (10): Second Empire (1997), Ciro (1999), Rock of Gibraltar (2001), Hold That Tiger (2002), Oratorio (2004), Horatio Nelson (2005), Holy Roman Emperor (2006), Happily (2017), Camille Pissarro (2024), Puerto Rico (2025); Prix Lupin: Ciro (2000); Prix Marcel Boussac (6): Rumplestiltskin (2005), Misty for Me (2010), Found (2014), Ballydoyle (2015), Opera Singer (2023), Diamond Necklace (2025); Prix Maurice de Gheest: King Charlemagne (2001); Prix Morny (5): Orpen (1998), Fasliyev (1999), Johannesburg (2001), Blackbeard (2022), Whistlejacket (2024); Prix du Moulin de Longchamp (2): Rock Of Gibraltar (2002), Circus Maximus (2019); Prix Rothschild (2): Roly Poly (2017), Mother Earth (2021); Prix de la Salamandre: Giant's Causeway (1999); Prix Vermeille: Warm Heart (2023); Prix de Royallieu: Grateful (2024).
Grand Slam of Irish Classics in 2008: Henrythenavigator (2,000 Guineas); Halfway To Heaven (1,000 Guineas); Frozen Fire (Derby); Moonstone (Oaks) and Septimus (St Leger).
4,000th winner worldwide: Henry Longfellow, the Goffs Vincent O'Brien National Stakes, Curragh, September 10th, 2023.
Main Jockeys: Christy Roche; Michael Kinane; Jamie Spencer; Kieren Fallon; Johnny Murtagh; Joseph O'Brien; Ryan Moore.
DAVID O'BRIEN
Born: Co Tipperary, 1956
THE SON of Vincent O'Brien stunned the racing world in 1988 by announcing his retirement at the age of 32 after only eight years in the sport. Burst onto the racing scene like a meteorite and in only his second season (1982) saddled Assert - a colt he acquired for just £16,000 - to win the Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby), Irish Sweeps Derby, the Benson and Hedges Gold Cup (now Juddmonte International) and the Joe McGrath Memorial Stakes (now Irish Champion Stakes). But he will always be best remembered for sending out Secreto to short-head El Gran Senor, trained by his father, in the 1984 Epsom Derby.
Trained the remarkable filly Triptych to become the first of her sex to win the 1985 Irish 2,000 Guineas in the 65-year history of the race. The 3.1 million guineas yearling Authaal gave him his final Classic success in the 1986 Irish St Leger. Trained the winners of 178 domestic races and finished runner-up to his father in the 1982 championship with earnings of £189,911. Numerically, the following year was his best with 28 winners. Struck up a successful partnership with Christy Roche (1982-1988) which yielded three Derby wins (Irish, French and English). His loyalty proved a tremendous career boost to Irish-based jockeys.
He moved to France where he purchased a vineyard, Chateau Vignelaure, and immersed himself in the production and distribution of what is now considered a world class wine. In 2009, he moved to Australia with his wife and kids and now resides in Perth.
DONNACHA O'BRIEN
Born: Co Tipperary, 1998
THE SON of serial champion trainer Aidan, Donnacha joined his father and brother Joseph as a Breeders' Cup-winning trainer after 20/1 outsider Balantina powered to glory in the 2025 Grade One John Deere Juvenile Fillies Turf at Del Mar under an inspired ride from Oisin Murphy.
Sent out his first runners in 2020, and saddled his first winner in February of that year with Flower Garland on the all-weather at Dundalk. Shale gave him a first domestic Group One success in the Moyglare Stud Stakes (2020) while Fancy Blue gave him a first Classic win in the 2020 French Oaks (Prix de Diane). The same filly landed the Qatar Nassau Stakes at Goodwood - his first winner in the UK - on her next start. Proud And Regal was another Group One winner in France, landing the Criterium International in 2022.
Enjoyed his first Royal Ascot success with the juvenile Porta Fortuna in the 2023 Albany Stakes, providing Frankie Dettori with his 80th Royal Ascot winner. The filly went on to land the Group One Juddmonte Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket in 2023, five years after he had landed the same race as a jockey on Fairyland. Porta Fortuna went on to complete a hat-trick of Group Ones in her Classic season with wins in the Coronation Stakes, Falmouth Stakes and Matron Stakes.
Trains just outside Cashel at Longfield Stud; David Wachman's former yard.
Had a short but successful career as a jockey after being crowned Irish Champion Jockey for the second time in 2019 (his first title came in 2018 as well as an apprentice title in 2016). He rode four Classics winners (winning three, the English 2,000 Guineas (Saxon Warrior) and Oaks (Forever Together) and the Irish Derby (Latrobe), in the space of two months in 2018) as well as a hatful of Group Ones. His other Classic success came on board Magna Grecia (2019 English 2,000 Guineas). His first winner was on his father''s Quartz (2014) and his final success came on Noble Prize, also trained by Aidan, in 2019.
JOSEPH O’BRIEN
Born: 1993
ELDEST SON of Ballydoyle trainer Aidan, Joseph Patrick O'Brien rode with remarkable success for six and a half years before increasing problems with his weight (he is 6ft tall) saw him embark on an equally-impressive career as a trainer from his Owning Hill stables in Co Kilkenny, making an immediate impact when Intricately landed the Group One Moyglare Stud Stakes in 2016.
But much better was to follow with two victories in the Melbourne Cup with Rekindling (2017) and Twilight Payment (2020), an Irish Derby with Latrobe (2018), ridden by his younger brother Donnacha, an English St Leger with Galileo Chrome (2020), an Irish St Leger with Al Riffa (2025), a Filly & Mare Breeders' Cup Turf with Iridessa (2019), becoming the youngest ever Breeders' Cup-winning trainer and only the second person since Freddy Head to ride and train a Breeders' Cup winner. Iridessa gave him his first Group One win in the UK in the Fillies' Mile at Newmarket in 2018.
His successes over jumps are just as impressive with five Cheltenham Festival winners - Band Of Outlaws 2019, Early Doors 20019, Bandbridge 2022, Lark In The Mornin 2024 and Puturhandstogether 2025 - as well as a King George VI Chase success with Banbridge (2024), an Irish Gold Cup with Edwulf and several Grade One wins with Le Richebourg (2019 Arkle Novice Chase and 2018 Racing Post Chase), Fakir D’oudairies (Drinmore Novice Chase 2019, two Melling Chases 2021 and 2022; Betfair Ascot Chase 2022), Banbridge (2023 Manifesto Novices' Chase and 2024 William Hill Champion Chase) and Solness (two Paddy's Reward Club Chases 2024 and 2025). Won the Guinness Galway Hurdle with Tigris River in 2017 and just a few months later secured his first Grade One National Hunt success with Tower Bridge at the 2018 Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown. Victory in the Tote Galway Plate followed in 2020 with Early Doors and a second Guinness Galway Hurdle with Nurburgring in 2024, ridden by his cousin JJ Slevin.
Indeed, to have won an Irish Derby, an Irish Gold Cup and a Melbourne Cup in the space of eight months in only his third year with a training licence was an extraordinary achievement. Galileo Chrome's St Leger win meant he became only the second person after Harry Wragg to triumph in the Doncaster Classic as both jockey and trainer. The following day he landed the Goffs Vincent O'Brien National Stakes at the Curragh with Thunder Moon. Two more wins would follow in the Group One race with Al Riffa (2022) and Scorthy Champ (2024).
Enjoyed his first success at Royal Ascot with State Of Rest in the Prince Of Wales's Stakes in 2022. And Okita Soushi (2023 Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes), Dawn Rising (2023 Queen Alexandra Stakes) and Uxmal (2024 Queen Alexandra Stakes) brought his tally to four.
His days as a leading dual-purpose trainer appear to be drawing to a close after indicating his intention to concentrate on the Flat, a similar route undertaken by his legendary father. Trained his 1,000th winner when Al Riffa won at the Curragh in 2022. His first winner was Justice Frederick at Gowran Park in 2016. Joseph (Thundering Nights and Tonkinese), brother Donnacha (Shale) and father Aidan (Military Style) trained winners on the same day for the first time at Leopardstown in 2020.
Was Champion Irish Flat Jockey twice as well as riding six Irish Classic winners, four British and a Breeders' Cup Turf (see Flat Jockey Bios).
JOSEPH O'BRIEN FACTFILE
First winner: Justice Frederick, Gowran Park, 2016
First Group One winner: Intricately, Moyglare Stud Stakes, Curragh, 2016
First Group One winner in Britain: Iridessa, Fillies' Mile, Newmarket, 2018
Irish Classic wins (2): Latrobe (2018 Derby); Al Riffa (St Leger).
British Classic win: Galileo Chrome (2020 St Leger)
Melbourne Cup winners (2): Rekindling (2017) and Twilight Payment (2020)
Cox Plate winner: State Of Rest (2021)
Breeders' Cup winner: Iridessa (2019 Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf)
King George VI Chase: Banbridge (2024)
Big-race wins in France: Prix Ganay (State Of Rest 2022); Prix Saint-Alary (Above The Curve 2022); Haras de Bouquetot - Criterium Arqana Stakes (Islandsinthestream 2023).
Other major Flat wins: National Stakes (Thunder Moon 2020, Al Riffa 2022, Scorthy Champ 2024); Matron Stakes (Iridessa 2019), Pretty Polly Stakes (Iridessa 2019, Thundering Nights 2021); Irish Cesarewitch (Magellan Strait 2023), Prince of Wales's Stakes (State Of Rest 2022); Saratoga Derby Invitational Stakes (State Of Rest 2021); Grosser Preis von Berlin (Al Riffa 2024), Goffs Million (Apples And Bananas 2024), Criterium de Saint-Cloud (Tennessee Stud 2024).
Major jump winners: Irish Gold Cup (Edwulf 2018); William Hill Champion Chase (Banbridge 2024); Racing Post Novice Chase (Le Richebourg 2018); Arkle Novice Chase (Le Richebourg 2019); Golden Cygnet Novice Hurdle (Tower Bridge 2018); Spring Juvenile Hurdle (Sir Erec 2019, A Wave Of The Sea 2020); Drinmore Novice Chase (Fakir D'oudairies 2019); Melling Chase (Fakir D'oudairies 2021, 2022); Ascot Chase (Fakir D'oudairies 2022); Manifesto Novices' Chase (Banbridge 2023); Paddy's Rewards Club Chase (Solness 2024); Savills Hurdle (Home By The Lee 2022 and 2024).
500th winner: Pasley, Gowran Park, 2019.
1,000th winner: Al Riffa, Curragh, 2022.
VINCENT O'BRIEN
Born: Co Cork, 1917-2009
WHEN MICHAEL Vincent O'Brien announced his retirement in 1994, it brought to an end a career unrivalled in the modern era, until the emergence of Aidan O’Brien (no relation). The country's current pre-eminence in the bloodstock industry would not have been achieved without him. Starting from humble beginnings, he lifted the image of Irish racing and breeding onto the international stage with his vision and genius, producing a long line of champions first over jumps, then on the Flat, and in the process becoming a national hero.
Born on the family farm near Churchtown, Co Cork, he came to dominate both Flat and National Hunt racing. His exploits over jumps were unique and he's still the only trainer to win three consecutive Grand Nationals (Early Mist, Royal Tan and Quare Times). He also trained the winners of three Champion Hurdles and four Cheltenham Gold Cups; all in the space of eight seasons (1948-55) and before he celebrated his 38th birthday. His exploits at the Cheltenham Festival were nothing short of phenomenal. He trained 23 winners (including Cottage Rake's second Gold Cup success which was not run at the Festival meeting).
If his jumps record was remarkable, he made an even bigger impact on the Flat after deciding to disperse his jumpers in 1959. He won the first of 27 Irish Classics with Chamier in the 1953 Derby (five more were to follow in the Curragh showpiece). His 44 European Classic victories - 16 of them were English - included winning the Epsom Derby six times with Larkspur, Sir Ivor, Nijinsky, Roberto, The Minstrel and Golden Fleece. Four of those winners were partnered by Lester Piggott, with whom he was to enjoy a remarkable association in the late 1960s and 70s. Pat Glennon, Jack Purtell, Pat Eddery, Cash Asmussen and John Reid were his other main jockeys.
The list of champion Flat horses he sent out from his Ballydoyle stables in Co Tipperary to conquer Europe included Ballymoss and Gladness in the 50s; Sir Ivor in the 60s; Triple Crown hero Nijinsky, Roberto, Thatch, Apalachee, Saritamer, Cloonlara, The Minstrel, dual Arc winner Alleged, Try My Best, Solinus, Thatching and Monteverdi in the 70s; Storm Bird, Golden Fleece and El Gran Senor in the 80s. During the late 70s and early 80s his association with Robert Sangster saw them dominate European racing until the advent of the Arabs. Their policy of buying yearlings with top pedigrees (usually the progency of Northern Dancer) and syndicating the successful ones yielded vast profits. Along with son-in-law John Magnier, the trio set up the hugely influential Coolmore Stud to house the expensive stallions. Sadler's Wells, whom O'Brien trained to win the Irish 2,000 Guineas, Eclipse and Phoenix Champion Stakes in 1984, proved to be the outstanding sire of the 90s and into the new millennium.
His record at Royal Ascot was supreme - he plundered 25 races - and never better than in 1975 when he trained six winners from seven runners. Royal Academy's victory in the 1990 Breeders' Cup Mile at Belmont Park put the seal on his career when landing an unforgettable win under Piggott, who he had persuaded to come out of retirement just days earlier. The success was his second Stateside following Sir Ivor's win in the Washington DC International (1968). He died June 1st 2009, aged 92. Son Charles trains in Straffan, Co Kildare, following in the footsteps of older brother David, who trained successfully in the 80s, winning the Epsom Derby with Secreto (beating El Gran Senor, trained by his father, by a short head) and the French and Irish Derbys with Assert, before retiring suddenly in 1988.
His brother Phonsie was a talented jockey who rode many winners in the 1940s, and took out a training licence in 1956. Best known for saddling a record four consecutive winners of the Galway Plate between 1962 and 1965, he is also credited as the trainer of the 1960 Irish Derby winner Chamour. At the time eldest brother Vincent was serving an 18-month ban following a positiive drugs test on the same horse three months earlier. The suspension was later reduced to 12 months. He died in 2016, aged 86.
VINCENT O'BRIEN FACTFILE
First winner: Oversway, Limerick Junctin, May 20th, 1943.
Champion Hurdle winners: Hatton's Grace (1949, 1950, 1951).
Cheltenham Gold Cup winners: Cottage Rake (1948, 1949, 1950) and Knock Hard (1953).
Grand National winners: Early Mist (1953), Royal Tan (1954) and Quare Times (1955).
Triple Crown winner: Nijinsky (1970).
King Gerge V1 and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes winners: Ballymoss (1958), Nijinsky (1970) and The Minstrel (1977).
Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winners: Ballymoss (1958) and Alleged (1977, 1978).
Champion Stakes winners (2): Pieces Of Eight (1966), Sir Ivor (1968).
Irish Champion Stakes winners (5): Inkerman (1978), Fordham (1979), Gregorian (1980), Kings Lake (1981), Sadler's Wells (1984).
Breeders' Cup winner: Royal Academy (1990 Breeders' Cup Mile).
British Classic winners (16): Ballymoss (1957 St Leger), Larkspur (1962 Derby), Long Look (1965 Oaks), Glad Rags (1966 1,000 Guineas), Valoris (1966 Oaks), Sir Ivor (1968 2,000 Guineas and Derby), Nijinsky (1970 2,000 Guineas, Derby and St Leger), Roberto (1972 Derby), Boucher (1972 St Leger), The Minstrel (1977 Derby), Golden Fleece (1982 Derby), Lomond (1983 2,000 Guineas) and El Gran Senor (1984 2,000 Guineas).
Irish Classic winners (27): Chamier (1953 Derby), Ballymoss (1957 Derby), El Toro (1959 2,000 Guineas), Barclay (1959 St Leger), Ancasta (1964 Oaks), Aurabella (1965 Oaks), Valoris (1966 1,000 Guineas), White Gloves (1966 St Leger), Gaia (1969 Oaks), Reindeer (1969 St Leger), Nijinsky (1970 Derby), Caucasus (1975 St Leger), Meneval (1976 St Leger), Lady Capulet (1977 1,000 Guineas), The Minstrel (1977 Derby), Transworld (1977 St Leger), Jaazeiro (1978 2,000 Guineas), Godetia (1979 1,000 Guineas and Oaks), Gonzales (1980 St Leger), Kings Lake (1981 2,000 Guineas), Sadler's Wells (1984 2,000 Guineas), El Gran Senor (1984 Derby), Law Society (1985 Derby), Leading Counsel (1985 St Leger), Prince of Birds (1988 2,000 Guineas) and Dark Lomond (1988 St Leger).
French Classic winner: Caerleon (1983 Prix du Jockey Club - French Derby).
Last winner and runner: Mysterious Ways, the Curragh, September 17th, 1994.
Champion trainer in Ireland (Prize-money): 1959, 1969, 1970, 1972, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1984, 1987 and 1988. (Number of wins): 1962, 1965 and 1969.
Champion trainer in Britain: 1966 and 1977 (Flat); 1952-53 and 1953-54 (National Hunt).
RODERIC MORE O'FERRALL
Born: Co Dublin, 1903-1990
SERVED HIS time as an assistant trainer with Newmarket trainer Coll Leader but returned to Ireland in 1926, establishing Kildangan Stud on the family estate where he took out a licence in 1927. In 20 years as a trainer he won five Irish Classics: Star of Egypt (1930 1,000 Guineas), Beaudelaire (1931 St Leger), Nearchus (1938 2,000 Guineas), Khosro (1941 2,000 Guineas) and Admirable (1945 Oaks). After his retirement from training in 1947, to concentrate on his family's breeding operation, he became owner-breeder of Ambergis (1961 Irish Oaks), Abermaid (1962 English 1,000 Guineas), Parnell (1971 Irish St Leger) and Rosananti (1962 Premio Regina Elena). Other Classic winners he bred, but who did not carry his colours, were Nearula (1953 English 2,000 Guineas), Darius (1954 English 2,000 Guineas) and Katies (1984 Irish 1,000 Guineas). In 1986 he sold Kildangan to Sheikh Mohammed Al Maktoum, one of racing's most successful owners. Was a founder member of the Irish Bloodstock Breeders' Association (IBBA) and a prime mover in the amalgamation of the IBBA and the Irish Thoroughbred Broodmare Owners' Association into the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders' Association. He died October 29th, 1990. Brothers Frank and Rory were also heavily involved in the industry. Frank headed the owners list in 1950 after winning the Irish Derby with Dark Warrior while Rory owned Kythnos, winner of the 1960 Irish 2,000 Guinea, and Mistisri, winner of the Irish St Leger in 1974, and was also the founder and chairman of the More O'Ferrall advertising agency.
JOHN M OXX
Born: Co Kildare, 1950
ONE OF the most popular and unassuming figures on Irish racecourses, John Mortimer Oxx slipped quietly away from his local Curragh track after his last day as a trainer in November 2020. He had turned 70 that July and felt the time was right to end one of the most remarkable careers in Irish Flat racing. He will probably be best remembered for his handling of superstar Sea The Stars, who in 2009 went through a spectacular three-year-old campaign unbeaten in six Group One races - the 2,000 Guineas, the Derby, the Eclipse, the Juddmonte International, the Irish Champion Stakes and the Arc. He sent out 13 European Classic winners, to add to his 29 Grade One/Group One successes, and was crowned champion trainer in 1995.
Sinndar provided him with his first Derby and Arc double in 2000 while Alamshar won the Irish Derby and King George in 2003. Azamour and Ridgewood Pearl both won four Group Ones, with the latter providing a memorable triumph when landing the 1995 Breeders' Cup Mile at Belmont Park under Johnny Murtagh, who regarded him as a father figure. His first Group One winner was Eurobird in 1987 Irish St Leger, while his final success at the top level was Alandi in the Prix de Cadran at Longchamp, an hour and a half after Sea The Stars had won the Arc.
A qualified veterinary surgeon (MVB, MRCVS), he met with ever increasing success since taking over from his father, the late John (who was also a talented member of the profession, training eight Classic winners), in 1979. Had tremendous success with fillies but enjoyed his greatest moments with the colts Sea The Stars, Sinndar, Alamshar and Azamour, the last three owned by his main patron, the Aga Khan.
Sinndar struck gold in the 2000 Epsom Derby (Oxx's first runner in the race) and then followed up in the Irish equivalent (becoming only the 13th horse to complete the coveted Epsom-Curragh Derby double) before landing Europe's premier race, the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (becoming the first Irish-trained winner since Alleged 22 years previously and the first horse to complete the big-race treble). That same afternoon at Longchamp Namid gave him his second Group One win in the Prix l'Abbaye.
More glory was to follow with Alamshar who credited him with his second Irish Derby success in 2003 before going on to land the King George V1 and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes. Teamed up with jockey Michael Kinane in 2004, the new partnership cemented by the victories of Azamour in the St James's Palace Stakes (2004), Irish Champion Stakes (2004), the King George V1 and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes (2005). Kastoria's victory in the 2006 Irish St Leger would have given him immense satisfaction as it equalled his late father's tally of Irish-trained Classic winners.
Struck with just his second runner in the stanjames.com 2,000 Guineas when Sea The Stars powered home in the first Classic of the season at Newmarket in 2009 and the colt became the first horse since Nashwan in 1989 to complete the Derby-Guineas double under a power-packed ride from Kinane, who was just two weeks short of his 50th birthday. Better was to come as Sea The Stars became only the fifth horse since 1900 and the first since Nashwan in 1989 to complete the Eclipse, Derby and 2,000 Guineas treble before going on to land his fourth Group One in the Juddmonte International at York. Confirmed himself as one of the greats at Leopardstown when winning his fifth consecutive Group One of the season in the Tattersalls Millions Irish Champion Stakes before joining the equine elite by becoming the first horse in history to complete the Guineas-Derby-Arc treble with a stunning victory in the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp. That same afternoon at Longchamp Alandi gave Oxx his second Group One win in the Qatar Prix du Cadran.
First hit the international big time in 1995 when Ridgewood Pearl landed the Breeders' Cup Mile at Belmont Park. Earlier that season the filly had given him his first Irish 1,000 Guineas before going on to further glory in Royal Ascot's Coronation Stakes and Prix du Moulin. That year (he also sent globetrotter Timarida to Canada to win the Grade Two E P Taylor Stakes) he made a clean sweep on the domestic front where he lifted both trainers' titles with win prize-money of £650,391 and a numerical total of 99 winners, 19 winners more than his 2002 total (80) which gave him a second trainers' title based on number of winners.
One of Ireland's big-name trainers since the early 80s, his other Classic victories were achieved with Eurobird (1987 Irish St Leger); Petite Ile (1989 Irish St Leger); Ebadiyla (1997 Irish Oaks and 1997 Prix Royal-Oak, French St Leger); Winona (1998 Irish Oaks) and Alandi (2009 Irish St Leger).
Enzeli put up a remarkable performance to win Royal Ascot's Gold Cup in 1999 - the first Irish-trained winner since Levmoss 30 years previously - for the Aga Khan, who transferred many of his horses to Oxx after pulling out of British racing in the aftermath of the Aliysa affair. He was also Sheikh Mohammed's number one trainer in Ireland. His other Group One winner at Royal Ascot was Azamour (2005 Prince of Wales's Stakes).
A former chairman of the Irish National Stud and the Irish Racehorse Trainers' Association, he was a member of the Irish Horseracing Authority (IHA). In 2020 he was honoured by Horse Racing Ireland with the Contribution to the Industry award.
OXX FACTFILE
Born: July 14, 1950.
Married: To Catriona; three children, Deirdre, Aoife and Kevin.
First winner: Orchestra, Phoenix Park, March 31, 1979.
Irish Classic winners (9): Eurobird (1987 St Leger); Petite Ile (1989 St Leger); Ridgewood Pearl (1995 1,000 Guineas); Ebadiyla (1997 Oaks); Winona (1998 Oaks); Sinndar (2000 Derby); Alamshar (2003 Derby); Kastoria (2006 St Leger); Alandi (2009 St Leger).
British Classic winners (3): Sinndar (2000 Derby); Sea The Stars (2009 2,000 Guineas and Derby).
French Classic winner: Ebadiyla (1997 Prix Royal-Oak, French St Leger).
King George V1 and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes winners (2): Alamshar (2003); Azamour (2005).
Breeders' Cup winner: Ridgewood Pearl (1995 Breeders' Cup Mile).
Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winners (2): Sinndar (2000); Sea The Stars (2009).
Irish Champion Stakes winners (3): Timarida (1996); Azamour (2004); Sea The Stars (2009).
World record: Sea The Stars became the only horse in history to win the English 2,000 Guineas, the English Derby and the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in 2009.
Consecutive Group 1 wins (6): Sea The Stars (English 2,000 Guineas, English Derby, Eclipse Stakes, Juddmonte International Stakes, Irish Champion Stakes, Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe).
Other details: Was chairman of the Irish National Stud from 1985 to 1990 and held the same position with the Irish Racehorse Trainers Association from 1986 to 1991 and from 1993 to 1996. He has also served on the committees of the Irish Equine Centre Board, Irish Horseracing Authority, Punchestown and Mallow racecourses and RACE. He was also chairman of Leopardstown racecourse since 2007.
JOHN OXX SNR
Born: Leixlip, Co Kildare, 1910-1987
JOHN OXX was born in Leixlip where his father, John, was the stud groom at Collinstown Stud (now home to the semiconductor chip manufacturer Intel). The hallmark of his 36-year training career (1943-1978) was his handling of many fine fillies for wealthy bloodstock breeders. His first of eight Irish Classic winners was Solferino - who foiled The Phoenix's Irish Triple Crown bid - in the St Leger (1943). The Irish Oaks, a favourite hunting ground, was to yield a total of four victories with Lynchris (1960) - who went on to win the Yorkshsire Oaks and Irish St Leger - Hibernia 111 (1963), Merry Mate (1966) and Pampalina (1967).
Sorbus was controversially disqualified in the 1978 running of the race after defeating Epsom Oaks heroine Fair Salinia. Biscayne gave him a hat-trick of St Leger wins in 1964. Perhaps the best colt he handled was Arctic Storm, winner of the Irish 2,000 Guineas, who was unlucky to be beaten a short head by Tambourine 11 in the first running of the Irish Sweeps Derby (1962). He was the subsequent winner of Newmarket's Champion Stakes. Carrig Willy's win in the Naas November Handicap (1978) was his last. He was champion trainer on the Flat in 1958 (prize-money) and leading trainer (winners) in 1966 and 1967. He died April 17th 1987. His son, John, carried on the success and raised the bar in the same unobtrusive manner at the family's Currabeg stables (acquired by his father in 1949) on the Curragh until retiring in 2020.
SENATOR JIM PARKINSON
Born: Co Waterford, 1870-1948
A veterinary surgeon from Tramore, James Joseph Parkinson trained at Maddenstown Lodge stables on the Curragh for half a century with remarkable success. Won six Irish Classics, comprising two Derbys (First Flier 1917, Loch Lomond 1919) and four Oaks (Royal Mantle 1901, Blakestown 1905, Shining Way 1912 and Athgreany 1913). His career total of 2,577 winners was an Irish record until Dermot Weld boke it in the summer of 2000. It took 67 years for his other significant benchmark to be broken. His 137 wins (Flat and jumps combined) in a year, set in 1923, was broken by Jim Bolger in 1990 (it is currently held by Aidan O'Brien).
Was champion trainer eight times in terms of money won and an astonishing 23 times in races won. He owned most of them himself and was champion owner 20 times in races won and twice in money won. Trained 1907 Epsom Derby winner Orby as a two-year-old but lost the horse at the end of that season after a row with his owner "Boss" Croker.
Most of his horses were sold for export, adding significantly to Ireland's reputation as a prime breeding ground for top-quality horses. A man of many parts, he was appointed to the Senate of the newly-founded Irish Free State in 1922 and served there until 1947. He owned studs on opposite sides of the Curragh (1st Flyer Stud and Pollardstown Stud) and was a director of Irish Tote Investors, Goffs and Limerick Junction and Tramore racecourses. His son, Billy, was leading jockey (riding as an amateur) in 1915 and 1916. His grandson was the doyen of Irish racing journalism, Tony Sweeney (1931-2012).
PADDY J PRENDERGAST
Born: Co Kildare, 1909-1980
PADDY Prendergast - more popularly known as "Darkie" - was the first trainer to bring Ireland into the international arena and apart from Vincent O'Brien contributed more than any other in establishing the country as a major racing power. Took out a trainer's licence in 1940 and his handling of precocious two-year-olds was supreme.
His first training success in England came in that division with subsequent Royal Ascot winner Port Blanc at Goodwood (1945). Windy City, his fastest two-year-old, headed the Free Handicaps in Ireland, England and France (1950) before his departure to America. Other exceptional juveniles to blaze their way to glory both at home and abroad were La Tendresse, Floribunda, Noblesse (who never ran in Ireland), Sixpence, Gold Cup, The Pie King and Paddy's Sister. His record in the top two-year-old races in England was exceptional, winning the Gimcrack (York) four times, the Champagne Stakes (Doncaster) five times and the Coventry Stakes (Royal Ascot) six times.
Saddled 17 Irish Classic winners, putting him joint fourth on the all-time list. The role of honour reads: five 1,000 Guineas (Princess Trudy 1950 - his first - Gazpacho 1963, Wenduyne 1969, Sarah Siddons 1976 and More So 1978); four 2,000 Guineas (Kythnos 1960, Linacre 1963, Ballymore 1972 and Nikoli 1980); four Derbys (Dark Warrior 1950, Thirteen of Diamonds 1952, Ragusa 1963 and Meadow Court 1965); one Oaks (Five Spots 1952); three St Legers (Arctic Vale 1962, Christmas Island 1963 and Mistigri 1974). Martial (1960 2,000 Guineas) was his first winner in an English Classic, followed by Noblesse (1963 Oaks); Ragusa (1963 St Leger) and Pourparler (1964 1,000 Guineas).
Thanks to Ragusa (who also won the King George V1 and Queen Elizabeth Diamond and the Great Voltigeur Stakes), Noblesse and Khalkis (winner of the Eclipse), he became the first Irish-based trainer to be crowned champion in England in 1963, a feat he repeated in 1964 (Ragusa winning the Eclipse, Linacre the Queen Elizabeth 11 Stakes and Hardicanute the Timeform Gold Cup) and 1965 (Meadow Court landing the King George, after finishing second to the great Sea-Bird in the Epsom Derby, and Carlemont the Sussex Stakes).
Was banned (1952) for nearly a year by the Jockey Club stewards - a decision not rubber-stamped by their Irish counterparts - from running horses in England following an inquiry into the running of Blue Sail at Ascot. It was lifted in time for him to launch a blitz on his favourite York meeting which yielded four winners (including Blue Sail) from five runners.
The winner of 22 races at Royal Ascot, he died on June 20th, 1980 - the last day of the Royal meeting. Son Kevin (winner of eight Irish Classics and one British) continues to train from his Curragh base. Another son Paddy Jr (1935-2023) was a successful dual purpose trainer before retiring in 2002.
KEVIN PRENDERGAST
Born: Australia, 1932-2025
APART from the years in which he has headed the trainers' list in number of winners (1970, 1971, 1975, 1978 and 1980), there have been few seasons in which Kevin Prendergast has not figured in the top bracket since he trained his first winner, Zara (whom he also rode), in 1962.
Went to Australia in 1950 where he worked for the late Sydney trainer Frank Dalton for four years. Returned in 1954 to work for his father the late, great P J ("Darkie") Prendergast. Has sent out the winners of eight Irish Classics: Pidget (1972 1,000 Guineas and St Leger); Conor Pass (1973 St Leger); Northern Treasure (1977 2,000 Guineas); Arctique Royale (1981 1,000 Guineas), Oscar Schindler (1996 and 1997 St Legers) and Awtaad gave him his second victory in the Irish 2,000 Guineas (40 years after his first) in 2016. The colt was owned by the late Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum. a loyal supporter of the trainer for more than 30 years. They were second in the 2019 Epsom Derby with Madhmoon, beaten just half a length by Anthony Van Dyck.
Although the record books have P J inscribed as the trainer of Nikoli, it was Kevin who expertly handled the colt for his victory in the Irish 2,000 Guineas (1980) because of an illness to his father.
Hit the international big time with the victory of Nebbiolo (winner of York's Gimcrack Stakes as a juvenile) in the English 2,000 Guineas in 1977. Saddled Ardross to win the Jockey Club Cup (1980) - the same day Snow won the Sun Chariot Stakes - before his departure to greater glory with Henry Cecil. His four Royal Ascot winners are Ore (Queen's Vase 1981 and Queen Alexandra Stakes 1982), Oscar Schindler (Hardwicke Stakes 1996) and Verglas (Coventry Stakes 1996).
He won the first running of the Moyglare Stud Stakes - one of the longest running commercial sponsorhips worldwide - at the Curragh in 1973 with Milly Whiteway for the Doyle family. Other successes of note were Bradawn Breever (1991 Heinz 57), Areola (1970 Heinz 57), Arctique Royale (1980 Moyglare Stud Stakes), Polaire (1999 Pretty Polly Stakes), Rebelline (2001 Pretty Polly Stakes and 2002 Tattersalls Gold Cup), Miss Beatrix (2006 Moyglare Stud Stakes and Goffs Million), Termagant (2009 Moyglare Stud Stakes) and Kingsfort (2009 Vincent O'Brien National Stakes).
Enjoyed one of his best ever seasons when finishing runner-up to Aidan O'Brien in 2006 with win prize-money of €2,241,058 and 52 winners. Tell The Wind gave him his 2,000th winner as a trainer at Dundalk in 2010.
Wife Lesley died aged 87 in 2020. They had eight daughters, Andrea, Penny, Louise, Anne, Norma, Amanda, Natasha and the late Karen. His death on June 20th, 2025, just two weeks shy of his 93rd birthday, came exactly 45 years after that of his father.
Brother Paddy (1935-2023) was a successful dual purpose trainer who landed the Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot in 1980 with Cooliney Prince. Other notable winners he trained were Assertive (1972 Ballymoss Stakes), Evening M'Lord (1983 Ballymoss Stakes), Arctic Melody (1965 Athasi Stakes and Musidora Stakes), Readjust (1976 Anglesey Stakes), Grand Morning (1990 Marble Hill Stakes) and Tie Anchor (1981 Country Pride Champion Novice Hurdle and the IAWS Champion 4-y-o Hurdle). Classic success eluded him but Flair Path finished third in the Irish 2,000 Guineas (behind his father's Ballymore) and Prix du Jockey Club in 1972.
STEPHEN QUIRKE
Born: Co Kildare,1932-2001
SON OF the legendary jockey Martin Quirke, Stephen enjoyed his biggest success as a trainer with Atherstone Wood and Mistigo, in the 1967 and 1968 Irish 2,000 Guineas, and with Parnell, whom he trained to win the 1971 Irish St Leger. Atherstone Wood - winner of the previous season's Gallinule Stakes - was beaten a length and a half by Kingfisher but got the race in the stewards' room.
He rode as an amateur for eight years and won 17 races. He was assistant to his father for nine years before taking over the Mountjoy Lodge yard in 1963 and sent out a stream of impressive winners, including bagging four Curragh Cups with Noble Mark (1973), Mini Gift (1974), Phil's Fancy (1978) and Jay Bird (1979), two Heinz 57 Phoenix Stakes with Fatima's Gift (1967) and Noble Mark (1973) and two consecutive Leopardstown November Handicaps with Shivers (1969 and 1970).
Other useful performers were Amber Sword (1971 Irish Lincolnshire), Sovereign Dice (1976 Gladness Stakes), Serenica (1976 Athasi Stakes), Te Igitur (1977 Marble Hill Stakes), Jinkitis (1978 Pretty Polly Stakes), Vendor (1967 Royal Whip Stakes), Californian (1963 Futurity Stakes), Jail Break (1973 Irish Cambridgeshire), Paddy Whack (1974 Naas Autumn Handicap), Lovely Bio (1976 Carling Gold Cup Handicap) and Phil's Fancy (1978 Moyglare Stakes).
Martin was champion jockey in 1923 and rode nine Irish Classic winners before turning to training and winning the 1957 Irish 2,000 Guineas with Jack Ketch. Stephen retired at the end of the 1979 season to become a Turf Club official, and became senior starter in 1991. He died in 2001, aged 68.
CAPT DARBY ROGERS
Born: 1894-1970
A SON of Jack Rogers, Capt Darby Rogers (Thomas Duggan) returned to Ireland from England after the death of his father in 1940. That year he trained the first of eight Irish Classic winners from his base at Curragh Grange when Harvest Feast landed the St Leger, a race he was to secure five years later with Spam. His six other Classic successes were: two 1,000 Guineas (Dark Issue - owned by Sir Winston Chruchill - 1955 and Northern Gleam 1953); two 2,000 Guineas (Signal Box 1951 and Mighty Ocean 1950); one Derby (Bright News 1946) and one Oaks (Desert Drive 1947). Heron Bridge, who won the Champion Stakes at the Curragh (a race his trainer won no fewer than nine times), was a particular favourite. He retired in 1961 on a winning note after Erskine scored at Navan, November 25th. Son Mickey won the Epsom Derby with Hard Ridden and Santa Claus. Another son, Tim (1921-1984), owned the very successful Airlie Stud in Lucan, Co Dublin. In the late 60s, he persuaded the then Minister for Finance, Charles Haughey, to introduce a tax exemption for income from stallion fees and shares which proved a game changer for the country's breeding industry.
JACK ROGERS
Born: Yorkshire, 1866-1940
JOHN THOMAS Rogers moved to Ireland from England in 1915 due to the lack of opportunities in his native country because of the First World War. Enjoyed instant success at his Curragh base at Crotanstown, training 11 Irish Classic winners as well as finishing leading trainer on three occasions (1935, 1936 and 1937). His Classic wins were: two 1,000 Guineas (Harvest Star 1936 and Smokeless 1935); three 2,000 Guineas (Phideas 1937, Museum 1935 and Double Arch 1931); two Derbys (Phideas 1937 and Museum 1935); one Oaks (Smokeless 1935) and three St Legers (Battle Song 1936, Museum 1935 and Hill Song 1932).
He also trained Trigo (winner of the Epsom Derby, St Leger and Irish St Leger) to win the Phoenix Stakes as a two-year-old. Smokeless and Museum enabled him to make a clean sweep of all five Irish Classics in 1935, a feat subsequently achieved by Aidan O'Brien. Museum became the first horse to complete the Irish Triple Crown, comprising of the 2,000 Guineas, Derby and St Leger. Handed over the licence to his son Bryan (who was tragically killed in action in 1942) but took over once more after Bryan enlisted in 1939. He died in 1940 (June 6th) on his way home from the races at Limerick Junction, having saddled a winner in First Bloom. His other son, Captain Thomas Duggan 'Darby' won eight Irish Classics.
MICKEY ROGERS
Born: Co Kildare, 1925-1985.
DURING a 20-year career (1950-1970), John Michael Rogers sent out five Irish Classic winners from his Stepaside stables on the Curragh which rarely housed more than 20 horses. The haul included four 2,000 Guineas (DCM 1952, Arctic Wind 1954, Hard Ridden 1958 and Santa Claus 1964) and one Derby (Santa Claus 1964). But it was his achievement of saddling two Epsom Derby winners in Hard Ridden (1958) - the first Irish-trained since Orby in 1907 - and Santa Claus (1964) which guarantees him a special place in the history books.
Of Irish-based trainers only Aidan O'Brien (eight) and Vincent O'Brien (six) have a better record in the Classic (John Oxx also trained two winners). Santa Claus was only the second horse to complete the Epsom-Curragh Derby double.
Was champion trainer in 1964 with win prize-money of £62,447. Served as assistant trainer to his father, Capt Darby Rogers, and grandfather, Jack (John T) Rogers.
DAVID WACHMAN
Born: Co Kildare,1971
CLASSIC-WINNING trainer David Wachman saddled Group One winners in five different countries before announcing his retirement at the end of the 2016 Irish Flat season. He saddled winners of the 1,000 Guineas on both sides of the Irish Sea. Again won the fillies' Classic at the Curragh in 2009 and Legatissimo landed the English equivalent at Newmarket in 2015.
Legatissimo was narrowly beaten in the Investec Oaks at Epsom and went on to add the Nassau Stakes at Goodwood and the Matron Stakes at Leopardstown to her impressive CV. Luas Line (Belmont Oaks 2005), Again (Moyglare Stakes 2008), Damson (Phoenix Stakes 2004), Bushranger (Middle Park Stakes and Prix Morny 2008), Sudirman (Phoenix Stakes 2013) and Curvy (EP Taylor Stakes 2015) were other Group/Grade One winners for him.
He started his training apprenticeship working for jumps trainers Jessica Harrington, Michael Hourigan and Jenny Pitman, and Flat trainers Jim Bolger and in Australia Bill Mitchell and Brian Mayfield-Smith. He started off training at South Lodge, near Carrick-On-Suir, Co Tipperary, in a yard where Phonsie O'Brien - brother of the great Vincent - and Adrian Maxwell were previous incumbents. He had his first winner with Middle Moggs in a maiden hurdle at Clonmel in 1996, with a first Flat success coming in 1997 with Clewbay Pearl at Cork.
In 2000 he recorded his first listed-race victory when Rush Brook won the Ruby Stakes at Tralee and the following year he supplied leading owner Michael O'Leary of Gigginstown House Stud fame with his first winner when Tuco scored in the Land Rover Bumper at Fairyhouse.
His focus turned to the Flat after moving to Longfield Stud, near Cashel in 2003, a year after marrying Kate Magnier, daughter of Coolmore supremo John Magnier. A year later Venturi gave him a first Pattern win in the CL Weld Park Stakes at the Curragh, a race he went on to land again with Chrysanthemum and Chintz. His final winner was White Satin Dancer at Leopardstown in 2016. Former inmates Rekindling and Winter went on to land the Melbourne Cup (2017) and the English 1,000 Guineas (2017).
DERMOT WELD
Born: Surrey, England, 1948
ONE OF the most respected and pioneering trainers worldwide, Dermot Kenneth Weld's record has beeh a calalogue of firsts . . . the first European trainer to win a race in Hong Kong, the first to win the Melbourne Cup, the first to win a two-year-old on dirt at Grade One level, the first non-American to win a leg of the US Triple Crown. He has trained 21 Irish Classic winners, four British, one French and a Breeders' Cup and has played a leading role in Ireland becoming the powerhouse of European racing.
After qualifying as a vet from University College Dublin at the age of 21, he travelled the world on a student ticket and immersed himself in American, Australian and South African racing from a young age. Being a trainer with an itch for the rich pickings of international racing, there was no finer grounding. He was just 23 when taking over from his father Charlie at the family's Rosewell House stables, a stone's throw from the entrance to the Curragh racecourse, in 1972. Three-times champion amateur rider, he was quick to display his trail-blazing nature and his 81 winners in his first season was more than any other trainer had achieved for almost half a century.
One of the most successful and prolific trainers in the history of Irish racing, horses he has handled have won all five Irish Classics and just about every top prize in the domestic racing calendar. While mainly a trainer of Flat horses, he has consistently shown his skills in National Hunt racing - winning the Galway Plate, Galway Hurdle, Irish Champion Hurdle, Lexus Chase, Irish Grand National, Punchestown Gold Cup as well as three Cheltenham Festival winners. His record at the popular summer festival meeting at Galway is second to none, being crowned leading trainer on no fewer than 30 occasions.
Enjoyed his 2,500th success under both codes when Tiger Royal won at the Curragh (August 1999) and in August 2000 broke Senator Jim Parkinson's record of 2,577 winners when Georgia Peach scored win number 2,578 at Naas. Another milestone was reached in 2005 when King Jock's triumph at Nad Al Sheba provided him with his 3,000th career win. Notable Graduate gave him winner 3,500 at Tipperary in April 2011 before hitting the 4,000 mark with Sea Swift at Naas in 2016. He was Ireland's winning-most trainer with 4,377 until Willie Mullins overtook him at the 2024 Punchestown Festival. Numerically, he was Champion Flat trainer 21 times while in prize-money won he holds eight titles.
Blue Wind gave him his first Classic in the Epsom Oaks (1981) before landing the Irish equivalent at the Curragh. Twenty more domestic Classics followed with Prince's Polly (1982 1,000 Guineas); Flash of Steel (1986 2,000 Guineas); Trusted Partner (1988 1,000 Guineas); Vintage Crop (1993 and 1994 St Leger); Zagreb (1996 Derby), Dance Design (1996 Oaks); Vinnie Roe (2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004 St Leger); Grey Swallow (2004 Derby); Nightime (2006 1,000 Guineas; Bethrah (2010 1,000 Guineas), Voleuse De Coeurs (2013 St Leger), Harzand (2016 Derby) and Search For A Song (2019 and 2020 St Leger), Homeless Songs (2022 1,000 Guineas). Harzand gave him a first Epsom Derby, carrying the colours of the Aga Khan, who had sent him a first batch of horses in 2013. Harzand was the 18th horse to complete the English/Irish Derby double.
Tahiyra's win in the 2023 Irish 1,000 Guineas was his sixth victory in the race and his 28th European Classic. A French St Leger was secured with Vinnie Roe (2002) and an English 2,000 Guineas with Refuse To Bend (2003). He had to wait 43 years for another Epsom Oaks victory but the wait was worth it as Ezeliya produced a sparkling turn of foot under jockey Chris Hayes in the colours of the Aga Khan. She was retired without running another race after suffering a setback in training.
Rates Tarnawa among the best horses he has trained in a 50-year career after the Aga Khan's exceptional mare was retired at the end of the 2021 season after winning three Group One races in 2020 - the Qatar Prix Vermeille, Prix de l'Opera Longines before beating the colts in the 2020 Breeders' Cup Turf at Keeneland. It was another feather in his innovative cap. She was sportingly kept in training for 2021 with the aim of landing the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe but despite a bold bid in testing conditions, the daughter of Shamardal came up just short, finishing three-quarters of a length behind shock German winner Torquator Tasso.
His record with horses raced abroad is quite simply phenomenal. Has saddled winners on four continents: Vintage Crop's historic win in the Melbourne Cup (1993); Additional Risk in the Hong Kong Invitation Bowl (1991); Go And Go in the Belmont Stakes (1990) - becoming the first European-based trainer to win an American Classic - as well as countless Group One wins in Europe, including Committed's two consecutive victories in the Prix de l'Abbaye (1984-85). He has trained 18 winners at Royal Ascot, including Rite Of Passage in the 2010 Gold Cup (breaking the course record), Brief Truce in the 1992 St James's Palace Stakes, Free Eagle in the 2015 Prince Of Wales's Stakes and Tahiyra in the 2023 Coronation Stakes being the standouts.
Enhanced his reputation as an international giant when sending out Media Puzzle to win his second Melbourne Cup (2002). But not all of his best memories are confined to his globetrotting exploits. Winning the English 2,000 Guineas was a highlight, also Grey Swallow, bred and part-owned by his mother Marguerite (Gita) and champion two-year-old, winning the Irish Derby at three and the Tattersalls Gold Cup at four. In 2006 Nightime won the Irish 1,000 Guineas, also bred and owned by his mother.
In 1977 he became the first Irish trainer to notch 100 winners on the level in a season; was the first Irish trainer to top the £1 million mark in prize-money in 1989 and set a record in 1991 of 150 winners in a calendar year (currently held by Aidan O'Brien).
In 1993, the Prime Minister of Australia honoured him with the Key to the City of Melbourne and in 2001 he received the Charter Day Medal from his alma mater, UCD.
WELD FACTFILE
First winner: Spanner over hurdles, Baldoyle, January 1, 1972.
First Group winner: Boreen (1972 Player-Wills Stakes).
Breeders' Cup: Tarnawa (2020 Breeders' Cup Turf).
Melbourne Cup winners: Vintage Crop (1993); Media Puzzle (2002).
US Classic winner: Go And Go (1990 Belmont Stakes).
Hong Kong International Bowl winner: Additional Risk (1991).
Champion Stakes winner: Fascinating Rock (2015).
British Classic winners (4): Blue Wind (1981 Oaks); Refuse To Bend (2003 2,000 Guineas); Harzand (2016 Derby); Ezeliya (2024 Oaks).
Irish Classic winners (21): Blue Wind (1981 Oaks), Prince's Polly (1982 1,000 Guineas), Flash Of Steel (1986 2,000 Guineas), Trusted Partner (1988 1,000 Guineas), Vintage Crop (1993 St Leger, 1994 St Leger), Zagreb (1996 Derby), Dance Design (1996 Oaks), Vinnie Roe (2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004 St Legers); Grey Swallow (2004 Derby); Nightime (2006 1,000 Guineas); Bethrah (2010 1,000 Guineas); Voleuse De Coeurs (2013 St Leger), Harzand (2016 Derby), Search For A Song (2019 and 2020 St Leger), Homeless Song (2022 1,000 Guineas), Tahiyra (2023 1,000 Guineas).
French Classic winner: Vinnie Roe (2001 French St Leger, Prix Royal Oak).
Other Classic winners: Again Tomorrow (1985 Premio Parioli), Gay Burslem (1988 Premio Parioli), In A Tiff (1992 Derby Italiano).
Germany: Bayerisches Zuchtrennen (Market Booster, 1993).
Other notable wins in Britain: Cheveley Park Stakes (Sookera, 1977), Coronation Stakes (Sutton Place, 1978), Golden Jubilee Stakes (Committed, 1984 and Big Shuffle, 1987), Middle Park Stakes (Steel Heart, 1974), Nunthorpe Stakes (Committed, 1984), Sun Chariot Stakes (Dress To Thrill, 2002), Qipco British Champions Fillies' And Mares' Stakes (Sapphire, 2012), Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup (Rite of Passage, 2012 and Forgotten Rules, 2014).
Other notable wins in Ireland: Matron Stakes (Valley Forge, 1977), Dress To Thrill, 2002), Emulous (2011), Tahriya (2023), Moyglare Stud Stakes (Flutter Away, 1987; Tahiyra, 2022), National Stakes (Diamonds Are Trumps, 1977; Day Is Done, 1981; Definite Article, 1994; Mus-If, 1998; Refuse To Bend, 2002), Phoenix Stakes (Kilijaro, 1978; Smokey Lady, 1979), Pretty Polly Stakes (Market Booster, 1992; Dance Design, 1996 and 1997; Chinese White, 2010), Tattersalls Gold Cup (Cockney Lass, 1987; Definite Article, 1996; Dance Design, 1997; Grey Swallow, 2005; Casual Conquest, 2009; Fascinating Rock, 2016).
Most wins in a year in Ireland: 150 (120 Flat, 30 NH) in 1991. Winning-most trainer in Irish racing history: 4,377 winners (currently held by Willie Mullins)..
Other big winners in America: Go And Go (Laurel Futurity, 1989); Pine Dance (American Derby and Pennsylvania Derby, 2000), Dress To Thrill (Matriarch Stakes, 2002); Evolving Tactics (American Derby, 2003); Dimitrova (American Oaks and Flower Bowl Invitational, 2003); Simple Exchange (American Derby, 2004), Grey Swallow (Jim Murray Memorial Handicap, 2006), Winchester (Secretariat Stakes, 2008), Zhukova (Man o'War Stakes, 2017).
Royal Ascot winners (18): Klairvimy (1973 King Edward Vll Stakes), Highest Trump (1974 Queen Mary Stakes), Red Alert (1974 Jersey Stakes), Nanticious (1977 Ribblesdale Stakes), Sookera (1977 Chesham Stakes), Sutton's Place (1978 Coronation Stakes), Day Is Done (1981 Norfolk Stakes), Committed (1984 Platinum Jubilee Stakes), Big Shuffle (1987 Platinum Jubilee Stakes), Brief Truce (1992 St James's Palace Stakes), Gordi (1996 Queen's Vase Stakes), Irresistible Jewel (2002 Ribblesdale Stakes), In Time's Eye (2003 Wolferton Stakes), Rite Of Passage (2010 Gold Cup), Princess Highway (2012 Ribblesdale Stakes), Mustajeeb (2014 Jersey Stakes), Free Eagle (2015 Prince Of Wales's Stakes), Tahiyra (2023 Coronation Stakes).
Main jockeys: Johnny Roe 1974-75, Wally Swinburn 1976-82, Darrel McHargue 1983, Michael Kinane 1984-98, Pat Smullen 1999-2018.
GINGER WELLESLEY
Born: 1907-1981
THE WINNER of two Irish Classics - Uvira 1941 Oaks and Good Morning 1944 2,000 Guineas (dead-heating with Slide On) - Gerald 'Ginger' Wellesley was probably better known for his handling of two-year-olds from his Castleknock yard in Dublin. Won the '1500' - now the Group One Phoenix Stakes - with His Reverence (1933), Dancing Comet (1935) and Enchantress (1940). Also handled the top sprinter The Bug, winning the Wokingham Stakes and July Cup in 1946, before joining the Newmarket stables of Marcus Marsh. One of 12 signatories in the formation of the Irish Racehorse Trainers Association in 1950, he died Christmas Day, 1981.
His wife, TOBY WELLESLEY (1906-1993), was a leading pioneer in the role played by some determined women on the Irish training scene. Her big-race winners after their separation appear in the record books under the names of Eddie McGrath and Patrick Connolly, including Irish Classic winners Grand Weather (2,000 Guineas 1947), Morning Wings (1,000 Guineas 1948) and Morning Madam (St Leger 1950).
