Aine O'Connor explained

Aine O'Connor
Occupation:Jockey
Birth Date:County Limerick
Nationality:Irish

Aine O'Connor is an Irish jockey.

Early life

The youngest of four girls fromAskeaton in County Limerick, she started riding at twelve years-old and was also a keen swimmer as a youngster.[1] She has worked for Equuip, the education and training department of Horse Racing Ireland and for RACE recruiting young people to trainee jockey courses and junior academies.[2] [3]

Career

O’Connor made her point-to-point debut aboard Hordargo for Seamus Braddish at Dromahane in 2009.She rode Supercede to victory at Templemore in April 2012. She won the Class 2 Clarke Chase at Uttoxeter Harry Fry, and the 2017 Ladies National aboard Coldstonesober.[4] In 2018, she rode American in the Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury.[5] That year, she won a Hunters Chase at Listowel on On The Fringe.[6]

O’Connor achieved the first double of her career at the Fairyhouse Winter Festival in December 2019, riding Demi Plie to a win in the Mares' Handicap Chase and then won on Brawler in the Handicap Hurdle.[7] [8] She won the ladies’ handicap hurdle at Fairyhouse on New Year’s Day 2020, winning on JP McManus-owned Spruced Up.[9]

In 2020, she won the Schiaparelli Willoughby De Broke Open Hunters' Chase on Minella Rocco.[10]

In January 2023, she won at Gowran Park on Goffs Thyestes Day where she rode Hands Of Gold to win the ladies’ maiden hurdle.[11]

In May 2024, she won the Grade Three Mares Bumper at Punchestown on Familiar Trait.[12] [13] That month, she finished runner-up to Jody Townend as Champion lady amateur.[14]

Personal life

She married fellow jockey Niall Madden in County Limerick in June 2022.[15] [16] [17] Her sister Ciara is also a jockey, and is married to race horse owner Harry Fry.[18]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Alison. Corr. 21 April 2017. ON THE SPOT: Aine O'Connor - Find out what made Aine O'Connor get the first flight out of Bangkok and her expensive way to relax. The Irish Field. 1 June 2024.
  2. Web site: 2 September 2022. Women In Sport: Aine O'Connor urges all not to 'be afraid to aim to be the best'. 1 June 2024. Limerick Leader.
  3. Web site: RACE UPDATE: O'Connor is up for the challenge Rachel Moriarty spoke to Aine O'Connor about her new role as recruitment officer in RACE. Rachel. Moriarty. The Irish Field. 30 August 2019. 1 June 2024.
  4. Web site: Aine O'Connor. 1 June 2024. p2p.ie.
  5. Web site: Aine O'Connor gets call-up to ride leading Ladbrokes Trophy hope American. Racing Post. 1 June 2024. 29 November 2018. Andrew. Dietz.
  6. Web site: John. O'Riordan. 8 June 2018. HEART OF RACING: Aine O'Connor. The Irish Field. 1 June 2024.
  7. Web site: OfftheBall. "IT'S SOMETHING THAT'S GOING TO BE A THING OF THE PAST SOON" - AINE O'CONNOR ON FEMALE FLAT JOCKEYS BREAKING THE MOULD. 1 June 2024. Raf. Diallo.
  8. Web site: Colm. Kinsella. 2 December 2019. Big double success for Askeaton jockey Aine O'Connor. Limerick Leader. 1 June 2024.
  9. Web site: Askeaton's Aine O'Connor shines at Fairyhouse. Ronan. Coughlan. January 6, 2020. Limerick Post. 1 June 2024.
  10. Web site: Golden Sovereign brings joy for O'Brien at Warwick. Craig. Gibbons. 24 January 2020. Stratford Herald. 1 June 2024.
  11. Web site: Colm. Kinsella. 30 January 2023. Limerick racing connections visit winners' enclosure. Limerick Leader. 1 June 2024.
  12. Web site: Independent.ie. 1 June 2024. Martin Brassil's Fastorslow denies Galopin Des Champs again in Punchestown Gold Cup. Michael. Verney. 3 May 2024.
  13. Web site: Limerick jockeys enjoy terrific spell of success on the racetrack. Colm. Kinsella. 7 May 2024. Limerick Leader. 1 June 2024.
  14. Web site: 'I'm a bit battered and bruised, but days like these make it all worth it' - Jack Kennedy crowned new champion jump jockey. Racing Post. 1 June 2024. David. Jennings. 4 May 2024.
  15. Web site: Grand National-winning Madden retires . 22 January 2021. BBC Sport. 1 June 2024.
  16. Web site: 'I never dial myself down, so when I ride I still put on my mascara' - Patrick Mullins meets Aine O'Connor. Patrick. Mullins. 1 June 2024. 23 May 2024.
  17. Web site: Irish Derby tickets to be won. Olivia. Hamilton. 17 June 2022. 1 June 2024. The Irish Field.
  18. Web site: Aine O'Connor. Irish Racing. January 22, 2018. 1 June 2024.

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