Tom O’Brien, the dual Cheltenham Festival-winning jockey who rode more than 1,000 winners in Britain and Ireland, has died aged 39 after a battle with cancer.
The British Horseracing Authority, where O’Brien had worked as a steward since retiring from the saddle in 2023, paid tribute on Wednesday (UK time).
“Tom passed away surrounded by his loved ones following a long and courageous battle with cancer, which he faced with the steely determination and drive that typified the man so many of us knew,” BHA chief executive Brant Dunshea said.
“He touched countless lives on both sides of the Irish Sea, bringing joy to everyone who had the privilege of knowing him and watching what he did best, on and off the racecourse.”
A 20-year partnership with Philip Hobbs
O’Brien, a nephew of champion trainer Aidan O’Brien, joined Philip Hobbs’ Minehead stable as a teenager and stayed until his retirement, BBC Sport reported.
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He won five Grade 1 races, including the Liverpool Hurdle at Aintree in 2021 and the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase in 2022 on Hobbs’ Thyme Hill, Sky Sports reported. His Cheltenham Festival winners were Silk Affair in the Fred Winter in 2009 and Third Wind in the Pertemps Final in 2022, The Guardian reported.
He also won the 2009 Welsh Grand National on Dream Alliance, whose story inspired the film Dream Horse.
“He came to our yard from Ireland having not ridden in a race, but it soon became obvious he was pretty talented and he was with us from the start of his career until the end,” Hobbs said.
“It’s very sad, particularly for his wife, Hayley, and two young children.”
Tributes flow
Former champion jockey Richard Johnson, who rode alongside O’Brien at the Hobbs stable, said: “Tom was an all-round great person and you won’t find anyone with a bad word to say about him.”
Jockey Harry Cobden wrote on Instagram: “Gutted to hear the news about Tom. He was a great friend and a brilliant jockey. He will be hugely missed by everyone who knew him.”
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