Donnacha O’Brien has 'little chances' with first two runners at Dundalk

Donnacha O’Brien is aware the hard work officially starts at Dundalk on Friday evening when the dual Irish champion jockey has his first runners as a fully fledged trainer.

The 21-year-old, who retired from the saddle in November having won his second jockeys' title that month, has been gearing up to this moment for a long time, having been based in David Wachman’s old yard in Longfield, County Tipperary, for well over 18 months.

O’Brien managed the careers of around 25 horses last term, including Listed winner Fancy Blue, who will race under his name this season. His first official runner will be Mythologic in the 6.30 at Dundalk followed by Flower Garland in the 7.30, both of whom are owned by his mother Annemarie.

“It's exciting,” he said shortly after declaration stage on Thursday. “It's the next chapter and it'll be nice to get it started and to get it out of the way.”

On Mythologic and Flower Garland, the only horses O’Brien has for the winter series at Dundalk, he added: “They're uncomplicated horses and I think they'll suit the surface.”

If O'Brien has a winner at Dundalk, it would be a fitting start to his training career given that he made the breakthrough as a rider at the track as a 16-year-old in 2014 when he partnered Quartz to victory for his father Aidan.

The youngest of the four O'Brien children, Donnacha has followed in the footsteps of brother Joseph, who made a blistering start to his training career in June 2016 by sending out four winners on his first day.

Two of those winners – Justice Frederick and Zig Zag – came on the Flat at Gowran Park with Donnacha in the saddle, while Mai Fitzs Jack and Oathkeeper won at Listowel's jumps meeting.

Donnacha O'Brien (left) with his brother JosephCredit: Peter Mooney

There are no great expectations for Mythologic, who has yet to win in eight attempts, and Flower Garland, a four-race maiden, with O'Brien saying: “We're unlikely to get a double but they have little chances. It's very competitive at Dundalk and I'd be going there more hopeful than anything.”

Asked what the most enjoyable aspect of his career change has been, O’Brien added: “Training horses, you get a good kick out of the winners compared to if you were just riding them.

“I suppose there's more of a sense of achievement when you train one to win a race compared to riding them as a lot more work goes on behind the scenes.”

Have another look at December's Big Read with Donnacha O'Brien:

Donnacha O'Brien: 'It feels normal. It was always going to be my next chapter'

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