vincent o brien passes away

mack flyer

the greatest horse trainer ireland ever produced passed away today aged 92

Aidric

Very sad news, an icon of the sport. RIP.

Nulty

I've already sent RTE an email saying they better make a doco about him or I'll kidnap Tubridy and tie him to the train tracks:D

careca

Vincent O'Brien - Legend.

Read book on him before and remember this classic from it.

He had the fav for the lincoln (or some flat race over 1m) and thought the horse was too short to back. Therefore he ran him the week before in a novice chase in Mallow in order to get his price out for the lincoln. bookies of course thought novice chaser could not win a mile flat race. He won the novice chase, price drifted for lincoln, he was backed off the boards and sluiced up.

Unreal.

brandon_flowers

careca wrote: »

Vincent O'Brien - Legend.

Read book on him before and remember this classic from it.

He had the fav for the lincoln (or some flat race over 1m) and thought the horse was too short to back. Therefore he ran him the week before in a novice chase in Mallow in order to get his price out for the lincoln. bookies of course thought novice chaser could not win a mile flat race. He won the novice chase, price drifted for lincoln, he was backed off the boards and sluiced up.

Unreal.

I remember reading that as well. Its from Raymond Smiths book. Must dig it out and read it again. Its kind of ironic that even though he was the greatest trainer ever he still needed the serious gamble to keep the show on the road. Its something that none of the top trainers need to do today.

Sad loss for racing and Irish sport in general. What the man achieved will never be matched or even come close to being matched ever. He didnt just win every major race, he won nearly 3 of every major race NH and flat.

Ar dheis De go raibh a anam dilis.

NewApproach

I remember reading a book which detailed how he set up in the first place. It had a scan of a page of one of his accounts of his bets. It was amazing to read, he only bet on his own horses and he made a fortune off it. It was what set him up.

His achievements are incredible, pity I am too young to have been able to appreciate them at the time. (as in i wasnt born )

RIP

Red_Marauder

By all accounts he was a great racing man and an innovator. Like many others I wasn't around when Vincent was at the height of his career, but I'm sure everyone agrees we are still seeing the aftershocks of his presence in racing today, and will for a good deal of time to come.

paddyboy23

great trainer who new horses inside out,to see him and lester whipped the yanks with royal academy two old men gave them a lesson never see the like of him again.

Nulty

Nulty wrote: »

I've already sent RTE an email saying they better make a doco about him or I'll kidnap Tubridy and tie him to the train tracks:D

Well, heres the reply

Dear Ian



Thank you for your suggestion. I will forward your e-mail to the Head of RTÉ Television Programmes.

However, I would imagine that such a documentary is currently being produced as the RTÉ library would hold lots of footage on the late Vincent O’ Brien and the horse racing in Ireland.



Your interest in RTÉ programmes and our output is much appreciated. I will also log your comment for review by the RTÉ Editorial Board.



Thank you for taking the time to write.



Kind Regards


Brigitte Murphy

RTÉ Information-Communications

Any recommendations for reading about Vincent O'Brien??

brandon_flowers

Vincent O Brien The Man & The Legend by Raymond Smith is the one I have read. Its a very good book, a lot of stories from the earlier days when the going was tough for trainers. There is another book called The Master of Ballydoyle by Raymond Smith as well but I haven't read that one.

Red_Marauder

His official biography by his wife Jacqueline with Ivor Herbert is worth a read.

mr.jingle

I'm only watchin racing the last 2-3 years and wouldn't know a lot on Vincent O'Brien bar the obvious of him being a great trainer but from some of the stuff i've read over the last few days have led me to believe he was probably the best trainer ever. To build such an empire from a few gambles starting off was unbelievable and the standard of horse he has produced is second to none. In a world where this word is used too much all i can say is RIP to a LEGEND

Tannylan

R.I.P:(

Baggio

he was a great trainer and a great person....however everyone keeps on about all his winners at cheltenham but he's still from what I know only second in the list of most irish winners trained...that honour belongs to Tom Dreaper..Arkle/Flyingbolt's trainer....now HE was some trainer!"""

but obrien and lester in usa that was something else

ciao' amigos....Baggio....