O’Brien expresses gratitude after hitting 1,000-winner mark

Molly Hunter
August 23, 2021 11:57 am

Rider chalked up the landmark victory at Worcester on Sunday.

Tom O’Brien hit a career milestone at Worcester on Sunday afternoon when Head On became his 1,000th winner in Britain and Ireland.

The jump jockey was contesting the Royal Equestrian Bedding Crushed Pellet Bedding Handicap Chase aboard Ian Williams’ gelding and was triumphant by a length and a half.

O’Brien’s name will now be added to a list of only seven active jump jockeys in Britain and Ireland who have achieved the feat.

“I’m very grateful for all the support I’ve had since the start of my career,” he said.

“People have shown me a lot of loyalty, from my family to my agent and my boss.

Delighted to have ridden my 1000th winner in Britain & Ireland today! Thankyou for all the support I’ve had to make it happen, to my family, my agent Dave Roberts, my Boss @PJHobbs1 and my loyal sponsor Ashby Underwriting. Also to all the owners & trainers that have supported me.

— Tomas O’Brien (@tjobrien12) August 22, 2021

“Dave Roberts is my agent, Philip Hobbs is my boss and Ashby Underwriting are my sponsor, they’ve all been behind me since I started and have shown me great loyalty – thanks also to all of the other owners and trainers who have put me up along the way.

“I’ve had my eye on it for a while and it felt like it was never coming, it hasn’t sunk in just yet.

“It’s definitely a good start, I’m really looking forward to the season ahead.”

The 34-year-old rode his first winner aged 18 in 2004 and was champion amateur rider the following season, turning professional the subsequent year and taking the champion conditional title.

Thyme Hill and Tom O'Brien struck Grade One gold at Aintree — Thyme Hill and Tom O’Brien struck Grade One gold at Aintree (Alan Crowhurst/PA)

Much of his success has been linked with the Hobbs stable in Somerset, where he rode as second jockey to four-time champion Richard Johnson before his retirement earlier in the year.

The vacancy left by Johnson saw O’Brien become the chief rider for Hobbs’ yard and resulted in his one of his most significant winners to date when he took the Grade One Liverpool Hurdle aboard Thyme Hill at Aintree in April.

O’Brien has also enjoyed two Welsh Grand National victories and was the rider on board when Dream Alliance took the race in 2009, a success that has since become the subject of a documentary and a film.