Vincent O'Brien: the astonishing coup that founded a racing empire

Vincent O'Brien made his fortune in horseracing after winning the Irish autumn double in 1944. He became one of the best trainers of all time and established Ballydoyle as the pre-eminent training centre in Ireland.

Vincent O'Brien made his fortune in racing by winning the Irish autumn double in 1944. He is one of the best trainers of all time. O’Brien established Ballydoyle as the pre-eminent training centre in Ireland.

O'Brien worked as a public trainer in 1944. He used to work as an assistant to his father, Dan, at Clashganiff House in Churchtown, County Cork. Dan's stable won several handicaps, including the Irish Cambridgeshire and Irish Cesarewitch.

Vincent O'Brien bought Drybob and Good Days in 1943. Good Day became O’Brien's first winner as a public trainer in May 1944. Dry bob won at the same course in August.

There was a strong betting market for the Irish autumn double. Frank Vickerman, an English wool-broker based in Dublin, had become O'Brien's first owner and urged him to gamble on both races. The two winners both started at 20-1 but the bets were struck at longer ante-post odds with bookmakers in both Ireland and England.

Drybob and Good Days finished second and third in the Cesarewitch at Phoenix Park. The combined prize-money for the handicaps was £584. O'Brien's bets brought him a personal profit of about £1,000.

Vincent O'Brien founded a racing empire thanks to his 1944 coup. O’Brien became the only trainer ever to score a hat-trick in the Grand National (1953-55) with three different horses – Early Mist, Royal Tan and Quare Times. He also won with six of his seven bets at the Cheltenham Festival.

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