Champion Irish jockey Tom O’Brien dies aged 39 after ‘courageous battle’ with cancer

Irish jockey Tom O’Brien has died aged 39 following a battle with cancer.

The nephew of famed trainer Aidan and cousin of Melbourne Cup winner Joseph, he retired from a successful riding career in 2023 to take up a role with the British Horseracing Authority but was diagnosed soon after.

O’Brien is survived by wife Hayley and their children Toby and Archie.

“Everyone at the BHA and across British and Irish racing is mourning the devastating loss of our friend and colleague Tom O’Brien,” the BHA chief executive Brant Dunshea.

“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.

“This news will have had a profound impact on Tom’s weighing room family. Jockeys past and present who knew and rode with Tom will be distraught by the loss of their friend. We know they have been an unwavering source of support to Tom during his illness.

“In an environment rocked so many times by tragedy in recent years, this will be another shattering blow and we will ensure that support is available for all who need it.”

O’Brien, who rode more than 1000 winners, saluted twice at the Cheltenham Festival and also took out the Welsh Grand National on two occasions.

His 2009 National victory aboard Dream Alliance was immortalised in a 2020 film starring Australia’s Toni Collette.

O’Brien had only recently caught up with the horse’s trainer Phillip Hobbs.

“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,” Hobbs said.

“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.”

O’Brien joined the BHA stewarding team when he retired before it was “cut cruelly short”.

“But he made an immediate impression on his colleagues due to his outstanding race reading ability and sound decision making,” Dunshea said.

“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 benefitted from his kindness and loyal friendship.

“He touched countless lives on both sides of the Irish Sea, bringing joy to everyone who had the privilege of knowing him and watching what he did best, on and off the racecourse.

“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.”