Derek O'Connor's statement in full 🚨
🗣️ “After the most wonderful and successful career I feel the time has come to hang up my boots.
“I feel incredibly lucky and privileged to have worked with some of the best people in horseracing; trainers, owners and most importantly the people behind the scenes.
“I am thankful for every day I got the opportunity to put a set of colours on and the enjoyment it brought to myself, my family, trainers, owners and racegoers alike.
“My association with the McManus family brought me to places unimaginable for most jockeys. I’ll be eternally grateful.
“To Paul Holden, Robert Tyner, Sam Curling, Pat Doyle, Pauric O’Connor, Wilson Dennison, Colin McKeever, Ian Ferguson and all their families and countless other trainers who have given me opportunities, a huge thank you for your constant support over my career.”
They say time flies… and it sure has as I celebrate today my 10th anniversary in a ♿️
I look at it very much as a mental triumph thanks to my beloved Mum, who’s pulled and pushed me through this horrible journey.”
A decade of rolling deep, living fully.
Onto the next 👊🏻
We're Hiring! 🐎
An exciting opportunity for an experienced Broodmare & Foaling Manager to join Baroda Stud in Co. Kildare.
A senior, hands-on role leading our broodmare team.
Excellent horsemanship and leadership skills essential.
📩 [email protected]
Please RT!
Better late than never....
https://t.co/3D4gEdU70z
Another "Wife's Guide" is live thanks to the talented @Tamso ! Bookmark this for the @Tattersalls1766 Autumn Horses in Training sale and the December foal sale.
“Every lot matters a lot!” ✨
A huge thank you to every vendor and purchaser who made this week’s #GoffsOrby so special.
Thank you for thinking Orby.
#ThinkOrby | #GoffsOrby
👉 Records fell, fillies dominated at the very top, Modern Games made a splash and international buyers came ready to spend at another strong @Goffs1866 Orby Book 1.
Here are seven things we learned ⤵️
https://t.co/63qwgB4CKT
Leading consignors at Orby Book 1 🍻
Baroda Stud have sold 28 lots for a total of €6.3 million, headlined by their €800,000 Sea The Stars colt – there will be some well deserved celebrations tonight!
#ThinkOrby
The Irish yearling sales season moves to @Goffs1866 today with the Orby Sale ☘️
Nearing the end of a season where we have sold 16 Stakes winners, a Royal Ascot winner & over 30 2YO winners, we think there are many more to be found in this draft.
https://t.co/9Q0kiWvbvH
Ruby Walsh LOVED riding Hurricane Fly:
🗣️ "I only rode one hurdler and one chaser that you could ride at the jumps like they weren't there, simply because the horse knew more than you.
"Him and Papillon are the only horses I've ever ridden that I would put any one of my four kids on to jump.
"It was amazing to be on his back given the brain he had for jumping. You could just keep riding him, and if he couldn't answer the question then he'd just move his feet and get himself out of it. When you were riding Hurricane Fly you never thought about the jumps."
The full-brother to Sunday’s G1 Goffs Vincent O’Brien National S. winner Folsom Blues will be offered by @BarodaStudIre as Lot 106 at #GoffsOrby
Hear from Brian Delahunt, one of the best horsemen in the business, who prepped both colts as yearlings.
#ThinkOrby | 28 Sept - 1 Oct
@Goffs1866 is the reason you’re there 🇮🇪 🐎 & this is everything else that makes the week enjoyable. Thanks for asking me to pull all my tips together Katie 🙌💃🏼
New on the blog: The Wife's Guide to the Goffs Sale written by the brilliant @Tamso ! Read up if you're headed to @Goffs1866 after the @keenelandsales 🏇
https://t.co/VPujss2DDn