Cheltenham Festival winning jockey Tom O'Brien dies, aged 39
Cheltenham Festival-winning jockey Tom O'Brien has passed away at the age of 39 following a battle with cancer. Tributes have poured in for the respected rider, who achieved over 1,000 career wins.
Why it matters
The death of a prominent athlete is a significant event within the horse racing community and sports culture.
Cheltenham Festival and Grade 1-winning jockey Tom O'Brien has died at the age of 39 after a battle with cancer.
The jockey had a successful career, winning Grade 1s on the likes of Finian's Oscar, Elixir De Nutz and Thyme Hill, on his way to over 1,000 winners, while he also landed the Welsh Grand National aboard Dream Alliance and Elegant Escape.
His Festival wins came on Silk Affair in the 2009 Fred Winter and Third Wind in the 2022 Pertemps Final.
Born in Ireland, O'Brien moved to Britain in 2004 to join Philip Hobbs, who he rode for until his retirement, and was crowned conditional jockey in 2006-7 after riding 105 winners, his most successful season numbers wise.
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