O'Connell Born to train winners

Racing feature brought to you by Navan Racecourse & Fairyhouse

DAVID JENNINGS

Claire O'Connell's training base at Donaghmore House in Ashbourne is steeped in history. It dates back to the 18th century and was once the home of Ireland's most famous racing dynasty - the Dreapers.

Her father Al, who trained Classical Charm to finish second in the 1988 Champion Hurdle, bought the farm off the Dreapers and Claire is now carrying on the tradition with her small string who continue to punch above their weight.

O'Connell wasted little time in getting off the mark as a trainer back in 2009. And, by little, actually mean no time whatsoever as she celebrated her first winner on her very first day with a licence. That was thanks to Dara Whyte who landed a beginners chase at Navan under Paddy Flood.

Sixteen years later O'Connell was celebrating a first winner in Britain when Sanilam won a bumper at Ayr in March of 2025 under Ryan Mania. A few months later she repeated the feat when Born Bright won a handicap chase at Market Rasen under young Kilmessan jockey, James Smith. She has come a long way in a short space of time.

"It's all I've ever known," O'Connell said of her life with horses. "I couldn't imagine doing anything else. We've had some magic days over the years and Born Bright going over to win at Market Rasen last summer was very special for a stable like ours."

Reflecting on that famous first winner at Navan all those years ago, she said: "It was unbelievable to get the first winner on the board so quickly. It was my first runner with a licence and my son is actually called Dara, as well, so people always joke that I called him after my first winner, but I actually didn't!

"It meant a lot to me that my first winner was at Navan, as well. It's such a fantastic track and obviously local to us as well. It was a special day that none of us will ever forget."

When asked for her racing idol, the name Joe Crowley rolled off her tongue.

She explained: "I was lucky enough to spend some time with Joe as I was a great pal of his daughter, Frances. He was a true genius. He not only gave horses confidence, but would ask you your opinion and make you feel valued and important, as well. He had an eye for a horse, especially a cheap one who would almost always go on to win plenty of races."

Looking forward to the future, O'Connell has high hopes that her talented seven-year-old Born Bright can go on and add more wins to the four races already won, but there is a new kid on the block who could be a bit special.

"I'm hoping Born Believing can turn out to be above-average," she said. "She won a point-to-point a few weeks ago under Joey Dunne at Belharbour and I think she could be a very nice mare. We have high hopes for her."

Born Believing is the latest in a long line of sons and daughters from the dam, Born Noble, who continues to produce promising prodigies.

Racing idol: Joe Crowley

Favourite horse: Born Bright

First winner: Dara Whyte at Navan in 2009

Horse to watch out for: Born Believing

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