Tributes paid to ‘all-round great person’ Tom O’Brien

Richard Johnson and Philip Hobbs have led the tributes to Tom O’Brien after the Grade One-winning jockey died at the age of 39 following a battle with cancer.

The rider, who was a nephew of Aidan O’Brien, was a mainstay of the Minehead operation, joining as a teenager and remaining there until his retirement in 2023, including a spell as stable jockey after Johnson hung up his own saddle in 2021.

Four-times champion jockey Johnson remembered “an all-round great person and great friend”, as his thoughts turned to O’Brien’s young family.

Racing TV pays tribute to Tom O'Brien following the announcement of his death.

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 (wife) 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.”

O’Brien rode over 1,000 winners in Britain and Ireland during the course of his distinguished career, including two victories at the Cheltenham Festival and two Welsh Grand National triumphs, with the story of his 2009 Chepstow win aboard Hobbs’ Dream Alliance subsequently turned into a movie.

However, his most successful mount was arguably the Hobbs-trained Thyme Hill, aboard whom he won both the Liverpool Hurdle (2021) and Kauto Star Novices’ Chase (2022) at the highest level.

Hobbs said: “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 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.”

Following his retirement from the saddle in 2023, O’Brien took up a position on the British Horseracing Authority’s stewarding team.

BHA chief executive Brant Dunshea said in a statement: “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.

“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.”

He went on: “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 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.”