Following a breakthrough season last year, Fergal O’Brien is now looking forward to the upcoming jumps season, and with a strong team of horses it looks more than likely that he can continue his brilliant form into this year and hopefully top last season’s best of 60 winners. His string includes popular names such as Chase The Spud, Alvarado, Colin’s Sister and Perfect Candidate; as well as some exciting young talents such as Barney Dwan and grade 1 winner Poetic Rhythm. It is no wonder that he has quickly become a success as a trainer as Fergal was Nigel Twiston Davies’ assistant trainer where he helped prep a Gold Cup winner in Imperial Commander as well as two Grand National winners before moving just down the road to his own yard Grange Hill Farm.
With a total of 193 career wins, it looks more than likely that he will be able to pass the 200 winner landmark this year which is a wonderful achievement and testament to not only the man himself, but his enthusiastic and hard-working team of stable staff behind the scenes. It is no wonder that Fergal has become such a big success story in such a short space of time as he seems to make racing fun for both his owners and the general public alike, often opening the yard for people to come along and see his horses out on the gallops. A sweet treat also does not go unnoticed if you do pay a visit!
I was lucky enough to get to visit the yard in September and asked Fergal a few questions about his career and the upcoming season:
How did you decide a career in racing was right for you?
I’ve always enjoyed being around horses. Not being a great jockey also helped with making the decision to become a trainer because it was the next best thing!
What is the most valuable lesson you have learnt so far in your career?
The most important lesson I’ve learned would be that no man needs to own a racehorse.
How do you think we can get more young people interested in racing?
I think that racing is doing a good job with ‘Racing To School’ and getting younger children interested in racing but I do think that more student days will be helpful.
You won your first grade 1 with Poetic Rhythm last season, where can we expect to see him go this year?
He’ll go to Chepstow in the middle of October.
Are there any newcomers that we should be looking out for from your string?
Imperial Alcazar.
(Imperial Alcazar is a 4 year old gelding by Vinnie Roe (the sire of Barney Dwan, Royal Caviar and Neon Wolf) and a half-sister to Jessber’s Dream who is a Grade 2 winner and placed in a Grade 1 so he is well related and an exciting prospect for the next few years. You heard it straight from the trainer, so add him to your trackers!)
Is there any particular race that you would love to win this season or at some point in your career?
I would love to win a race at the Cheltenham Festival.
What moment in your career have you taken the most pride in so far?
Poetic Rhythm winning his grade 1 in the Challow Hurdle at Newbury.
Are there any particular qualities that you look for in a racehorse when you go to the sales?
I tend to look out for horses with a nice pedigree, and they should look big enough to jump a fence!
Do you have a favourite race meet to go to and can you put into words what makes it so special?
I like going to the November Meeting at Cheltenham, the atmosphere there is unique and makes it a very enjoyable meet to go to.
If you could invite any four people to a dinner party, who would you choose?
I would invite Muhammad Ali, Nelson Mandella, Martin Pipe and AP McCoy.
If you hadn’t become a racehorse trainer, what career do you think you would currently be doing instead?
I would probably be a farmer.
Finally, what would your go to advice be to anybody looking to go down a similar career path to yours?
Make sure you find yourself a Chris Coley!
Thanks for your time, Fergal!
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