JOSEPH O’BRIEN is set to focus on the family business after deciding to give up racing for 2016 — at the very least — to concentrate on training.
The two-time Irish champion jockey has already taken a small step towards his new career with his interest in Triumph Hurdle favourite Ivanovich Gorbatov, though he will have to wait until April to acquire the necessary licence to be officially recognised as the horse’s trainer.
Ahead of that move, O’Brien told The Racing Post he planned to give up racing to concentrate fully on the next stage of his career.
It’s hard enough to make a decent job of one thing never mind trying to juggle two things so I’ll be concentrating on training and won’t be riding any more.”
The 22-year-old had many critics during his time in the saddle but still set the record for the number of winners in an Irish Flat season in 2013.
Some of his notable wins include The Irish and British 2,000 Guineas, the Ascot Gold Cup and the Irish Derby and St Leger. He also won the Breeders’ cup in 2011 on St Nicholas Abbey.
