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| Staff Writer |
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Few people achieve as much in a lifetime as Joseph O’Brien has in his first 30 years. A few weeks after his 19th birthday, he rode Camelot to win the Derby at Epsom, finishing that season as Champion Jockey in Ireland.
That was for his father, Aidan, for whom he enjoyed most of his biggest successes. One of the top trainers in the world in the last few decades, it is no surprise that the success of his father helped to shape the path that O’Brien would take.
Asked about his inspiration, O’Brien said, “It was obviously my dad…being a trainer…him and my mum, they were the main inspiration for me growing up.” They continue to be a massive part of O’Brien’s life. “We live about an hour apart, so I don’t get to see them every day, but we speak every day - we’re very close with family.”
His dad has never been afraid to travel with his horses, and that is something that has been passed down from father to son. There is an extra level of excitement for all racing fans when Group 1 horses from different parts of the world arrive to take on the local stars. It is something that makes horse racing a very special sport to watch.
Since becoming a trainer, O’Brien has not slowed down at all - he already has a pair of Melbourne Cups under his belt, as well as a winner at the Breeders’ Cup. Those are on top of the massive volume of success he has enjoyed across Europe. He now has his sights set on the Bahrain International Trophy with his four-year-old filly Above The Curve.
As with so many Coolmore-owned fillies, she has an impeccable pedigree. Her dam didn’t make it to the track, but she was a half-sister to the mighty Giant’s Causeway, amongst others, so it is no surprise at all that Above The Curve has a string of solid Group One runs, including a win in the 2022 Prix Saint-Alary.
The air miles have racked up, running in Ireland, England, France and America so far in her career, and now Bahrain is on the agenda. “The Middle East is one of the top international racing destinations for all racehorse trainers, and we’re very keen to be a part of racing in all of the Middle East.”
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For a stable who have had winners all across the globe, it is a bit of a surprise that O’Brien is yet to have a runner in Bahrain. “It’s something that we’ve looked at going to for the last two years, and we’re excited to potentially have a runner there this year.”
Above The Curve is “very laid back in nature, she has a lovely attitude and really enjoys her racing.” This makes her the perfect horse to travel with, a filly who “takes it all in her stride” without any issues. The return to a warmer climate could help her with the pick of her form coming in the warmer months in Europe.
The winner of three of her first four starts in 2022, she has not quite hit those same heights so far in 2023 but went close in the Nassau at Glorious Goodwood and then took a step back in the right direction when last in race action on Champions Day at Ascot in the Fillies & Mares.
“Her last run was her first one with cheekpieces, so the headgear has maybe helped her back to form.” That would suggest that if she runs in the Bahrain International Trophy, she will once more sport that headgear.
“We think that this is a track and a race that will suit her well”, and given the record that O’Brien has accumulated across the world, it is fair to say that he is someone who places his horses to best effect and it does not matter in what jurisdiction that is. If the race is the right one for his horses, then O’Brien will travel.
There are further plans in the early stages of discussion beyond Bahrain as well. “We potentially will have some runners in the Middle East in the new year in Dubai and Saudi and potentially in the United States as well.”
While travelling is tiring, it has to be an exciting life to be heading to race meetings across the world each year, “we really enjoy racing internationally…we hope to do more of that.” Wherever Joseph O’Brien runners pitch up, there will always be an extra air of excitement with the quality that the trainer has at his disposal. The more international runners, the better - we look forward to seeing more of his globetrotters soon.
By Scott McGlynn