Kilkenny based trainer Joseph O'Brien on verge of historical accolade

Joseph O’Brien can reach the notable landmark of 1,500 career wins worldwide as a trainer at Dundalk Stadium today Wednesday, February 11 when he saddles four runners. He stands on 1,499 wins at present.

Joseph is on course to reach the milestone faster than his father, multiple champion trainer, Aidan, did.

The first winner for the Owning, County Kilkenny trainer came in June 2016 courtesy of Justice Frederick at Gowran Park.

Since then, all manner of big race triumphs have resulted worldwide under both codes: the Irish Derby, two Melbourne Cups, multiple Cheltenham Festival and Royal Ascot winners, St Legers in Ireland and England, a Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf, Cox Plate, King George VI Chase, Saratoga Derby and many, many more.   

His 1,000^th winner arrived via Al Riffa in a Curragh maiden in August 2022.

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Among his four runners at the County Louth venue tomorrow, Dusty Rock contests the Group Deals Available At Dundalk Stadium Maiden, the opening race at 1.38pm. The trainer also runs Electric Night, Green Interlude and Personified in the irishinjuredjockeys.com Fillies’ Maiden at 3.08pm.

O’Brien has also set his sights on lucrative prizes in the Middle East on Saturday.

His 2025 Melbourne Cup runner-up, Goodie Two Shoes, runs in the US$2.5m Red Sea Turf Handicap at the Saudi Cup meeting in Riyadh with stable companions Tennessee Stud and Sons And Lovers lining up in the same race. Galen, meanwhile, runs in the US$3m Group 1 Neom Turf Cup that evening.

In neighbouring Qatar on the same day, Andab contests the US$400,000 Al Rayyan Mile Cup, part of the HH The Amir Sword Festival, the biggest race meeting in the Gulf state.