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BRYAN COOPER HAS been formally named as the new retained rider for powerhouse owner Michael O’Leary’s Gigginstown House Stud. The 21 year old Kerry born jockey will now be “the number one retained rider for all our horses” confirmed Eddie O’Leary speaking on behalf of the operation on Friday afternoon.
It is a quick appointment since the New Years Eve shock announcement that a hugely successful seven year arrangement with Champion jockey Davy Russell was to come to an end. Word quickly spread that Cooper, who famously landed a Cheltenham Festival treble in 2013, was first in line and so it has been confirmed.
Eddie O’Leary cleared up any confusion with regard Willie Mullins trained horses for the owner as some had suggested Ruby Walsh would get first pick of those based with the Closutton trainer. “That is not the case, Bryan will be number one for all our horses. He is a very good rider and I hope it will be the start of a long and happy association.”
Cooper had been based with Dessie Hughes and will continue to ride out for his former boss when available. “He has been very good to me for the last four years and I wouldn’t be in this position if it wasn’t for him. I owe him a lot” explained Cooper.
On his new role he was obviously delighted. “I could sit here all day going through all the good horses I’m looking forward to riding. I’m just looking forward to getting started and am very honoured.”
Cooper had already been widely tipped as a future Champion jockey and his task has suddenly become far easier if he is to achieve that status, Gigginstown having somewhere near 200 horses in training and with all the top trainers.
It is of course not the end for Davy Russell, there has apparently been no major fall out and O’Leary suggested that they will use him for their horses when required, especially if they have multiple entries.
Cooper starts his new role officially next Monday and tweeted this evening:
“Thanks for all the tweets, very honoured to be the new retained jockey for Gigginstown. Hope it’s the start of a successful partnership!”. @92bryan92
You can bet on that.
