Tom O’Brien Tribute
Author: Abigail Haastrup
Publication date: 09th May
Ashby underwriting, although sad to see him go, wish sponsored jockey Tom O’Brien a happy retirement. He had his final ride finishing fourth on Thyme Hill in the Grade 2 Select Hurdle at Sandown.
Over the years, he’s had multiple achievements, with many winners linked to the Hobbs stable, plus outside rides, not least his success on Dream Alliance in the Welsh Grand National. O’Brien began riding in Ireland, then moved to Britain in 2004. He rode his first winner in 2004 at 18 years old, becoming champion amateur rider the following season. He then turned professional in the 2006-07 season, achieving the champion conditional title with 123 wins, where David Ashby started sponsorship.
In August 2021, O’Brien became one of just seven active jump jockeys to attain the milestone of 1,000 victories in Britain and Ireland. His first Cheltenham Festival win was in 2009 when he rode Silk Affair to victory in the Fred Winter Juvenile Novices’ Handicap Hurdle and attained his second win in 2022 on Third Wind in the Pertemps Final.
He remained at the Hobbs stable from 2004 to his retirement in 2023, becoming the first-choice jump jockey for Hobbs when Richard Johnson retired in 2021.
We have been so pleased to be a sponsor and wish him and his family all the best in the future.