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Grade One-winning jockey Tom O’Brien has died at the age of 39 following a battle with cancer.
The nephew of Aidan O’Brien, the rider spent the majority of his career at Philip Hobbs’ Minehead yard, having joined as a teenager before retiring from race riding in 2023.
O’Brien partnered more than 1,000 winners across Britain and Ireland, including two Cheltenham Festival victories and a pair of Welsh Grand National triumphs. His 2009 Welsh Grand National success aboard Hobbs-trained Dream Alliance at Chepstow later inspired a feature film, while his standout partnership was arguably with Thyme Hill.
Together, they secured Grade One victories in the Liverpool Hurdle in 2021 and the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase in 2022.
O’Brien spent much of his career as second jockey to Richard Johnson before taking over as stable jockey following the four-time champion’s retirement in 2021.
After stepping down from race riding, he joined the stewarding team at the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), where he continued to make an impression with his race-reading ability and decision-making.
Tributes have since been led by Johnson and Hobbs, who remembered O’Brien as a close friend and a hugely respected figure within the sport.
Johnson described his former colleague as “an all-round great person” and offered his sympathies to O’Brien’s wife Hayley and their two young children.
Johnson told the Press Association: “It’s such sad news and I’m not sure there are any words to describe it really. Tom had been ill for quite a while now, but again it doesn’t feel real and I feel very sorry for Hayley and his two little boys.
“Tom was an all-round great person and you won’t find anyone with a bad word to say about him. Whether that was at the races, riding out or travelling in a car to the races, a party, he was just a great person to be around and a person we all enjoyed spending our time with.
“He left a positive mark on all of us. I spent a long time riding with him at Philip Hobbs’ and we never had a cross word, and I think that would apply to anyone you speak to as he was just an all-round good man.
“It doesn’t really feel right or fair that he has been taken so early and I’ve always classed him as a great friend.”
He added: “We’re all thinking of Hayley and his two boys right now and for them to lose a husband and father makes the world feel not a very fair place sometimes. Tom has been a privilege to know and will be sorely missed by everybody.”
Hobbs, meanwhile, recalled how O’Brien arrived at his yard from Ireland without having ridden in a race, but quickly demonstrated his ability.
“He came to our yard from Ireland having not ridden in a race, but it soon became obvious he was pretty talented and he was with us from the start of his career until the end,” he said.
“He was in the shadow of Richard Johnson for a long time being second jockey and then became first jockey after Richard retired, which went well. His biggest win was Thyme Hill in the Grade One at Aintree and he was always very reliable and a very good bloke.
“There’s lots of good memories and there were lots of winners and I’d kept in touch with Tom since his retirement as he only lived half an hour away – he was only in our yard about three weeks ago.
“It’s very sad, particularly for his wife Hayley and two young children.”
BHA chief executive Brant Dunshea also paid tribute to O’Brien, describing his death as a devastating loss for British and Irish racing.
In a statement, Dunshea said: “Everyone at the BHA and across British and Irish racing is mourning the devastating loss of our friend and colleague Tom O’Brien.
“Tom passed away surrounded by his loved ones following a long and courageous battle with cancer, which he faced with the steely determination and drive that typified the man so many of us knew.
“First and foremost, our thoughts are with those closest to Tom, especially his wife Hayley, their two young sons and their entire family. We will do everything to support them during this unimaginably difficult period.”
Dunshea said O’Brien’s second career as a steward had been cut short, but that he had quickly become a valued member of the team.
“Sadly, Tom’s second career with the BHA’s stewarding team was cut cruelly short, but he made an immediate impression on his colleagues due to his outstanding race-reading ability and sound decision-making. He was a popular member of the team and despite his illness, was always unfailingly helpful and ready to offer advice and guidance.
“Tom was held in the highest esteem and meant so much to so many people across our sport, who benefited from his kindness and loyal friendship.
“He will be hugely missed and his loss is immensely difficult to process. The racing family is distraught, but I know how we will all rally round to provide each other with support, comfort and to remember Tom as we knew him best: a brilliant jockey, a valued colleague, a loyal friend and above all a loving husband and devoted father.”
