An Interview with Paul O'Brien

Paul has steadily climbed his way through the racing ranks and is now enjoying a great deal of success in the saddle, having recently teamed up with trainer Harry Derham.

Paul O'Brien started off flapping and Point-to-Pointing in his native Ireland before making the move across the Irish Sea. His first winner under Rules was for his then-boss Donald McCain in September 2012, on Mulligan’s Man at Perth.

Latterly, he rode out his claim in October 2021 on the Pam Sly-trained Takeit Easy at Wetherby. Paul has ridden some big winners over the course of his career, the most recent of which came aboard Luccia in the Betfair Exchange Trophy for Nicky Henderson in December 2023.

In the last year, Paul has struck up a successful partnership with Harry Derham, whilst still holding contacts with yards he was formerly associated with.

Paul, 32, calls Mitchelstown, in County Cork home and now resides in Chisledon, near Swindon.

Did you have a horsey childhood? I did. There was always horses and ponies around. I did a lot of Pony Club, a bit of hunting and had a few rides in pony racing. After that I did a couple of years point-to-pointing before moving over here.

In school, I had a good laugh and never took it seriously so it was always going to be horses.

How did you get into racing? I had a couple of really good ponies. One of them, my first ever pony Toby, is still at home. When racing was frozen off last month, I went home and went to see him. I always wanted to go a bit quicker so went into racing.

Growing up, which jockey did you admire? I was a big fan of Jason Maguire, as well as all the others like Ruby Walsh and AP McCoy.

Do you have any family connections to racing? My brother Eoin rides as an amateur in Ireland, riding in point-to-points and bumpers, etc.

Which trainers have you worked for? When I moved over here, I worked for Donald McCain for a year and a half. He got me my conditional license and I had a few winners for him.

When I’d been an amateur in Ireland, I’d gone and ridden out for Rebecca Curtis one summer and when I was leaving Donald’s, I was offered the conditional job there. So, I went there for a season, rode about five winners. After that, I moved to Colin Tizzard’s and had a good few winners for him. It was a really great to be around really, really good horses like Thistlecrack, Cue Card and Native River. After that, I went to Charlie Longsdon’s and even though I still ride out there, the main man I ride out for is Harry Derham.

Best days in racing so far: There are a few days I think back on, remembering them as good days – it’s always good when someone reminds of them. Yet, I don’t tend to look back too much – I try to look forwards. Saying that, however, I enjoy remembering my first big winner on the mare Castafiore. She won a Grade 2 novices’ chase at Haydock for Longsdon.

Favourite racecourse: I love riding around Newbury – it’s such a big fair track. Actually, it’s a tossup between newbury and sandown. I’ve also done well round Huntingdon and Wincanton.

What race would you most like to ride the winner of? The Cheltenham Gold Cup or the Champion Chase.

What do you love about racing? It’s a grand job when you’re riding nice horses and you’re being competitive. It’s some fun riding nice horses – it’s a hell of a buzz and we have some craic.

What type of boss is Harry Derham? Harry is brilliant – he’s been brilliant to me and we’ve been getting on very well. He’s a really good trainer, who’s going places.

Favourite meal: Steak and chips.
Favourite drink: I drink a lot of tea.
Favourite holiday destination: Ibiza.
Favourite music: I like house and rock.
Favourite movie: I like comedy films. I’d regularly watch anything with Will Ferrell.
Ideal celebrity date: Margot Robbie.
Other hobbies/interests: I do a lot of walking and I like hanging out with my friends.