Colm O'Donoghue unlikely to return to riding after being cleared of assault

Aidan O'Brien and John Oxx have voiced their support for multiple Group 1-winning jockey Colm O'Donoghue, who has revealed he is unlikely to return to race-riding in the wake of being acquitted of two counts of physical assault on his ex-girlfriend Jill Macken in 2018.

The 40-year-old Classic-winning rider on Tuesday described the past two years as being "very rough and traumatic" and thanked the O’Brien and Oxx families for their support.

O’Donoghue said: "As of now I don't have a licence and I don't think I will be riding again. I'm glad it's all over and my barrister Oisin Clarke and my solicitor Tracy Horan did an excellent job getting the truth out there. I can't thank them enough."

Qualify and Colm O'Donoghue (right) get the better of favourite Legatissimo close home in the 2015 OaksCredit: Mark Cranham

O'Donoghue has not ridden in Ireland or Britain since October 2019 and has been based at Ballydoyle since August.

He said: "It has been a very rough and traumatic two years, and come at a massive cost to my career, but there is a lot to be said for peace of mind. There is no future in the past.

"Aidan and Annemarie [O'Brien] have been very good to me and very supportive. They gave me the position I have now on August 1, and since I've been back there I've been in a good headspace."

O'Donoghue added: "I would also like to thank John and Catriona Oxx and their daughter Aoife, as well as Michael and Catherine Kinane. They were always very supportive as well and great to keep in touch."

Colm O'Donoghue cleared after court hears accuser tried to 'ruin his career'

The Carrick-on-Suir district court heard on Monday that Macken had set out to ruin O'Donoghue’s career after the couple broke up and alleged two incidents of physical abuse took place in 2018. O'Donoghue denied both allegations from the outset.

O'Brien, for whom O'Donoghue enjoyed many of his best days in the saddle, including Oaks success aboard Qualify in 2015, revealed the rider would remain a key part of the team at Ballydoyle.

He said: "We were delighted to see Colm's name completely cleared 100 per cent. We have known Colm and his mum and dad a very long time, probably since he was 15 years of age. He has been back riding out and riding work here since last season. Colm is a world-class rider and is a major part of our team."

O'Donoghue was largely supported by Oxx in the final stages of his career in Ireland, and he wished the rider the best for the future.

Oxx said: "I am glad the case has been resolved and we wish Colm well for the future. I'm also glad his version of events has been vindicated and he's free to carry on with whatever career decisions he makes now. I wish him the very best."

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