Wexford-born jockey Tom O'Brien dies aged 39
Wexford-born jockey Tom O'Brien, renowned for riding over a thousand winners and multiple Grade One triumphs, has died at 39 after battling cancer.
Tom O'Brien, the Wexford-born jockey whose illustrious career spanned over a thousand winners and multiple Grade One triumphs, has died at the age of 39 following a battle with cancer, as reported by RTÉ. O'Brien was a nephew of Ballydoyle trainer Aidan O'Brien. His public cancer diagnosis became widely known days before his passing, after fellow jockey Ciaran Gethings dedicated a victory at Aintree to him.
O'Brien began his journey in racing as a teenager before moving across the Irish Sea to build a distinguished career in British racing. O'Brien became a mainstay at the Somerset stable of trainer Philip Hobbs, arriving as a young rider who had not yet ridden in a race and remaining a central figure until his retirement in April 2023.
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For much of his tenure at the Minehead yard, O'Brien operated as second jockey behind four-time champion Richard Johnson, as detailed by The Independent. Following Johnson's retirement, O'Brien stepped up to become stable jockey. His career milestones accumulated rapidly over two decades, highlighted by over 1,076 winners, two Cheltenham Festival triumphs, and two Welsh Grand National wins. According to The Guardian, his Cheltenham successes included steering Silk Affair to victory in the 2009 Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle and partnering Third Wind to win the Pertemps Network Final. He also shared a formidable partnership with Hobbs-trained Thyme Hill, securing Grade One glory in the Liverpool Hurdle at Aintree and the Kauto Star Novices' Chase at Kempton. Additional Grade One successes came under Colin Tizzard aboard Finian's Oscar and Elixir De Nutz, alongside an early Grade One win aboard Souffleur for Peter Bowen in the Challow Novices' Hurdle.
| Race / Achievement | Horse | Year | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle | Silk Affair | 2009 | Philip Hobbs |
| Welsh Grand National | Dream Alliance | 2009 | Philip Hobbs |
| Welsh Grand National | Elegant Escape | 2018 | Philip Hobbs |
| Liverpool Hurdle (Grade One) | Thyme Hill | 2021 | Philip Hobbs |
| Pertemps Network Final | Third Wind | 2022 | Hughie Morrison |
| Kauto Star Novices' Chase (Grade One) | Thyme Hill | 2022 | Philip Hobbs |
Beyond the racecourse, O'Brien's 2009 Welsh Grand National win aboard Dream Alliance inspired a film. After hanging up his riding boots, O'Brien transitioned into a second career with the British Horseracing Authority's stewarding team, where colleagues commended his sharp race-reading abilities and steady decision-making.
Tributes flowed from across the racing community following the announcement. Philip Hobbs reflected on O'Brien's long-standing dedication to the yard, noting via Sky Sports that he had visited the stables just weeks prior. Former colleague Richard Johnson shared his grief with the Press Association, as cited by Gloucestershire Live:
"Tom was an all-round great person and you won’t find anyone with a bad word to say about him."
Richard Johnson, Former champion jockey, via Press Association
British Horseracing Authority chief executive Brant Dunshea also released a statement, reported by The Sporting Base, emphasizing the profound impact of his loss across both British and Irish racing circles. Broadcasters, weighing room colleagues including Harry Cobden and Ian Abrahams expressed deep sorrow over the loss of a widely respected figure.
O'Brien is survived by his wife Hayley and their two young sons, Toby and Archie.
