One of the youngest Melbourne Cup winners is Joseph O’Brien. Young winning jockeys are rare enough, but trainers winning this race in their 20’s are rarer still.
We’re looking to Joseph’s background in racing as the son of a top trainer and a Group 1-winning jockey. We also check out his Melbourne Cup success to date.
About Joseph O’Brien
Joseph O’Brien was born into horse racing in 1993 in Ireland. Son of multiple champion trainer Aidan O’Brien, Joseph and brother Donnacha both rode for their father and the powerful Coolmore team.
In 2012, Joseph as stable jockey at Ballydoyle very nearly completed a rare Triple Crown in England. He rode Camelot to win the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket and the Derby at Epsom. After winning the Irish Derby too, he was narrowly beaten in the St Leger at Doncaster.
Rather tall for a jockey, O’Brien was only 23 when he announced in 2016 that he was to quit riding. A career as a trainer had already been lined up.
O’Brien started training in County Kilkenny, making a very quick impact by winning stakes races. He has won the Melbourne Cup, the Irish Derby and the Pretty Polly Stakes among others. He is also a Grade One-winning National Hunt trainer.
Though undoubtedly helped along, O’Brien’s achievements have been outstanding so far. He is a dual-purpose trainer and one who competes internationally. He is also one of the youngest Group 1-winning trainers ever.
Melbourne Cup Achievements
Joseph O’Brien was only 24 years old and in his first year being a trainer when he won the Melbourne Cup in 2017. He has since added a second win and surely isn’t finished there.
He quickly became a firm fixture during the Melbourne Cup Carnival. Owing to arguably unjust, invasive veterinary procedures, O’Brien’s participation has been put into doubt. It is very much hoped he returns to the Cup for many years to come.
Joseph O’Brien’s Melbourne Cup Wins
O’Brien’s Melbourne Cup success stands at two wins and counting. He made a lightning start to his training career, though did have the support of his father and prominent owners.
| Year | Winner | Age | Jockey | Horse Owner | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Twilight Payment | 8 | Jye McNeil | Lloyd Williams et al | 3:17.34 |
| 2017 | Rekindling | 4 | Corey Brown | Lloyd Williams et al | 3:21.29 |
2017 Melbourne Cup
Having only begun training in 2016, O’Brien was very quick to land his first Melbourne Cup with Rekindling.
Breaking from the 4 barrier, $15 shot Rekindling was given a great ride by Corey Brown. He won the race by just a half-length from Johannes Vermeer, trained by Joseph’s father Aidan O’Brien.
2020 Melbourne Cup
Twilight Payment had finished 11th to Vow And Declare in 2019. He was prepared for another crack at the Cup in 2020, duly winning and providing another amazing Joseph-Aidan finish by winning from his father’s Tiger Moth. Twilight Payment did have one more go in 2021, but was well beaten behind Verry Elleegant.
