Derek O'Connor
hometown
Fiddaun, Galway
CONTACT NO
087 6220826
Derek O’Connor is the most successful point-to-point rider of all time. Since his first points success at Killaloe in 2000, he has gone on to ride over 1,300 winners, with his landmark 1,300th winner coming at Bellharbour in February 2023 aboard Longhouse Legacy. Aside from winning a record-breaking 11 champion point-to-point jockey titles, O’Connor has also enjoyed success at the Cheltenham Festival, in addition to his first Grade 1 winner aboard the Joseph O'Brien-trained Edwulf in the 2018 edition of the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown. In all, he has won 44 point-to-point awards, his latest two coming in 2023 when he won the Senior and Western titles.
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OConnor Wins Senior Title for Fifth Time
Derek O’Connor finished off a memorable season as Senior Champion and joint Western Champion.
Early Doors pounces late to scoop Killarney spoils
The 11-year-old gained his first success under rules since the 2020 Galway Plate.
O'Sullivan and O'Connor share western title spoils
One winner each at Loughrea for Alan O'Sullivan and Derek O'Connor saw them gain title honours in the west.
Its On The Line pounces late to complete Aintree Punchestown double
Derek O'Connor was once again at his brilliant best as Its On The Line won the Champion Hunter Chase for a second year running.
Its On The Line goes one better to secure Aintree spoils
Derek O'Connor and Emmet Mullins combined to become the first Irish winners of the Aintree Foxhunters since 2016.
Customary cool OConnor claims festival double
Derek O'Connor gained his second success of the week aboard Inothewayurthinkin in the Kim Muir on Thursday.
Impressive Corbetts Cross is a fifth festival success for OConnor
The Kildorrery maiden winner powered up the hill under Derek O'Connor to win the National Hunt Chase by 17 lengths.
Its On The Line battles gamely to Champion Hunter Chase
Emmet Mullins' six-year-old held off the attentions of Vaucelet in another thrilling conclusion to the three-mile contest.
Point-to-Point Awards 2022
The Irish National Hunt Steeplechase Committee Annual Point-to-point awards took place at Dunboyne Castle on Saturday 18th June after a long-awaited three-year absence due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Staker Wallace ends admirable season with a win
The Cheltenham and Punchestown Festival third gained a second track success of his career at Killarney on Monday.
Sliabh Mhuire Lass does it from the front at Tipperary
The six-time point winner gained a deserved first success under rules at Tipperary on Thursday under Derek O'Connor.
O`Connor in line for first Grand National ride
The record-breaking rider is likely to be aboard Ok Corral in the Aintree spectacular on April 10th.
Limerick Lace powers clear to land Punchestown opener
The winner was a successful homebred daughter of Walk In The Park for the McManus family.
Top jockeys show their support for #ShowYourColours
Barry O'Neill, Maxine O'Sullivan and Derek O'Connor have teamed up with the homeless charity Focus Ireland for their latest campaign.
Ellmarie Holden enjoying the season following third success
The Co. Kilkenny-based handler secured her third victory of the season at Ballyarthur on Sunday afternoon.
Report | Ballyarthur 15th March 2020
Smart Mogul gives owner Murphy first point victory.
Report | Ballycahane 07th March 2020
Chosen Port keeps the family in credit.
Aloneamongmillions remains unbeaten for Curling with Tetretema win
The seven-year-old won his fifth race on the bounce under a typically patient ride from Derek O'Connor.
Report | Kildorrery 23rd February 2020
Blue Sans proves better value than New Money.
Report | Bellharbour 02nd February 2020
Bowe’s Star Gate opens the way for James double.
Age is only a number for 69-year-old Legend John Lynch
The Co.Clare man is the eldest rider lining up for the Bellharbour Legends race on Sunday.
Report | Kilfeacle 26th February 2020
‘Niceprospect’ Reality Cheque cashes in for Doyle family after faultless display.
Report | Carrigarostig 19th January 2020
Cheltenham on the cards for Rewritetherules after open strike.
Report | Dromahane 30th December 2019
Smart Shirocco provides O'Connor with Double.
Report | Boulta 08th December 2019
Clondaw Secret outshines Gold to win on point debut.
Report | Boulta 24th November 2019
Russellsway vindicates promise with maiden success.
Report | Lisronagh 09th November 2019
Joint-champion Longhouse's victory is music to Curling's ears.
Report | Toomebridge 5th October 2019
The 2019/20 Point-to-Point season got underway with a six-race card at Toomebridge where Murphy got off the mark as Gale At Sea storms home to win her four-year-old maiden.
O'Connor set for spell on the sidelines with shoulder injury
Derek O'Connor suffered the shoulder injury following a fall in the opener at Castletown-Geoghegan.
The 2019 Irish Field P2P Awards
The 40th Annual Irish Field Point-to-Point Awards took place on Saturday 8th June at the Hotel Minella, Co. Tipperary.
Longhouse Music crowned Champion Mare
Sam Curlings` charge set to collect both Champion Pointer and Champion mare award.
Longhouse Music and Kruzhlinin tie for Champion Pointer award
Thirteen wins apiece for Longhouse Music and Kruzhlinin sees them share the title as race goes down to the wire.
Derek O'Connor secures Southern and Senior titles
The victory marks O'Connor's ninth Southern Title and his second Senior Title.
Report | Kinsale 1st June 2019
There was a popular father and son success for Pat and Jimmy O'Rourke with the promising Ask Me Early.
Derek O`Connor secures Western title
Derek O`Connor is set to take his 11th consecutive Western title this year.
Title chasing Longhouse Music and Kruzhlinin set more records
Kruzhlinin won his second race of the weekend, whilst Longhous Music was among the winners at Loughrea.
Ballindenisk hat-trick for O'Neill re-ignites Southern title quest
Barry O'Neill is now just two winners adrift of Derek O'Connor in the sourthern region following a treble at Ballindenisk.
Six declared for Monday`s Killarney Hunter Chase
On The Fringe will look to go one better than his second in the 2017 renewal as he takes on It Came To Pass.
Report | Stowlin 5th May 2019
Jamie Codd capped of a week which saw him enjoy Grade 1 success when riding a double at the Galway venue.
Competitive fields declared for the Tipperary`s point-to-point evening
Declarations are up for the Hunters Chase and the two p2p.ie sponsored bumpers at Tipperary on Thursday.
Report | Taylorstown 27th April 2019
Barry O'Neill and Colin Bowe were in double winning form at a fixture which also saw Kruzhlinin become the first horse to win nine races.
Report | Quakerstown 21st April 2019
A big crowd were on hand in Co. Clare to witness rising stars Peter Flood and Luke Murphy enjoy success.
Report | Ballysteen 14th April 19
Derek O'Connor continued his successful partnership with Kilkenny handler Ellmarie Holden as they combined with Calthor.
Report | Dromahane 7th April 2019
Declan Queally and Debbie Hartnett combined to sucess with Exit Eleven for Kilkenny handler Joe Walsh.
Top Wood outbattles Burning Ambition in thrilling Aintree Foxhunters
The Kelly Morgan-trained 12-year-old got the better of Pierce Power's recent Down Royal Hunter Chase winner.
Report | Portrush 30th March 2019
Rob James and the Doyle brothers proved to be the combination to follow at Portrush on Saturday, as they left the popular Co. Derry venue with a treble.
Six Irish runners bid to secure Aintree success
Kruzhlinin has taken all before him in points this season as in one of two runners in the Foxhunters for Gordon Elliott.
Report | Liscarroll 24th March 2019
Colin Bowe-trained Papa Tango Charly impressed by posting a scintillating debut under Barry O'Neill in the Goffs UK Aintree Sale four-year-old maiden.
Fourth Festival success for O'Connor with Kim Muir victory
The record-breaking point-to-point rider guided Any Second Now to victory on day three of the Cheltenham Festival.
Irish amateurs once again hit with bans from Cheltenham stewards
A number of riders were banned following the start, whilst John Barry receieved a seperate 12-day suspension.
Report | Lismore 10th March 2019
Derek O'Connor was witnessed to purposefully good effect when winning aboard the Liam Burke-owned/trained newcomer Exod'ela
Report | Cragmore 10th February 2019
Barry O’Neill continues to maintain his advantage at the head of the leading riders table, with a double on the day bringing his tally for the season to 29.
Report | Kilfeacle 27th January 2019
Declan Queally enjoyed a day to remember at Kilfeacle when not only training a double but also steering home three winners on the afternoon.
Report | Killeagh 20th January 2019
Sean O'Brien was all smiles following the success of newcomer Nell's Well in the Hurleys Supervalu Midleton five-year-old mares’ maiden.
Report | Aghabullogue 13th January 2019
The Colin Motherway-trained Theflickeringlight impressed by making a victorious career debut at Aghabullogue under Luke Murphy.
Irish Pointers dominate with double on Classic card
Impulsive Leader and Beakstown enjoyed big race success, whilst Derek O'Connor made a winning visit to Warwick.
Report | Mainstown 6th January 2019
Longhouse Music brought her seasonal tally to five, when taking the ITM ladies open in the colours of John Duggan.
Report | Dromahane 30th 2018
The 11-time champion rider Derek O'Connor, this country's winning most rider between the flags, recorded his 1200th Irish points success.
O'Connor sets new record with Dromahane winner
Derek O'Connor became the first rider in the history of the sport to reach 1,200 winners at Dromahane on Sunday.
Stand Up And Fight claims Down Royal Hunters Chase
Stand Up And Fight justified favouritism to land the Toal Bookmakers Hunters Chase at Down Royal.
Stand Up And Fight heads Down Royal twelve for Stephens Day
Enda Bolger will be looking for his fourth victory in the Down Royal Hunter Chase with the impressive Dromahane winner.
Report | Boulta 16th December 2018
Minella Melody justified her lofty reputation by staying out stoutly to see off runner-up Old Dominion by 10 lengths.
O'Neill and O'Connor honoured at HRI Awards
Barry O'Neill was awarded with the Point-to-Point award, whilst Derek O'Connor claimed the first Rider of the Year prize.
VOTE: Derek O'Connor nominated for Ride of the Year
The 11-time champion rider needs your vote to win the Rider of the Year prize at the upcoming HRI Awards.
Report | Dromahane 11th November 2018
Declan Queally made his only mount of the day count when combining with Debbie Hartnett to win the 5YO Mares maiden aboard Whatsastory.
Report | Lisronagh 10th November 2018
Eleven-time champion rider Derek O’Connor was in treble-winning form at Lisronagh on Saturday.
Report | Moig South 4th November 2018
Moig South played host to the second divide of the season, as 17 declaration for the four-year-old geldings’ maiden necessitated two divisions.
Report | Loughbrickland 27th October 2018
For the second year in succession, leading mare Sliabh Mhuire Lass was turned over at short odds in the A One Tyres mares’ open.
Report | Portrush 20th October 2018
David Christie once again proved his talents in sourcing new horses, as his latest purchase, Kadmer made a winning debut.
Report | Loughrea 14th October 2018
Sunday’s Loughrea fixture proved to be a red letter day for novice rider Barry Stone, who booted home his first winner.
Report | Moira 13th October 2018
The Sam Curling-trained Longhouse Music picked-up where she had left off, by returning to the winners enclosure.
Inchydoney | 27th May 2018
Barry O’Neill made it a successful journey to the scenic west Cork coast when taking the opening contest.
Dromahane | 20th May 18
Sam Curling seems to have another smart prospect on his hands in the form of Longhouse Sale.
Necarne | 19th May 18
Ballysteen-second Howling Milan went one better here to score in the Dennison Commericals Ltd four-year-old geldings’ maiden to carry the colours of Jason Higgins to victory.
Loughanmore | 12th May 18
The Crawford brothers of Stuart and Ben teamed up to take the final heat of the four-year-old maiden with the Roy Wilson-owned The Very Man.
Report | Stowlin 29th Apr 18
The East Galway introduced their new course at Stowling to positive feedback from riders and handlers alike.
Dromahane | 5th May 18
Treble for Derek O’Connor
Report | Ballysteen 22nd Apr 18
The remarkable Sydney Paget notched-up a seventh successive victory in the day's feature.
Report | Moira 14th Apr 18
Pat Doyle continued the scintilating form of his 4yo runners with a rare venture north of the border to Moira.
Report | Dromahane 8th Apr 18
The Gigginstown House Stud-owned Shot To Hell provided James Kenny with his first four-year-old winner.
Report | Loughanmore 31st Mar 18
Lough Derg Rose & Norwegian Woods proved to be poignant winners for owner Pat Coffey.
Report | Liscarroll 25th Mar 18
On an afternoon that saw a terrific crowd in attendance to welcome the President of Ireland Michael D Higgins.
Report | Moig South 24th Mar 18
The Stonehall harriers were rewarded with an afternoon of sunshine on Saturday to finally stage their Moig South fixture at the third attempt
Report | Tyrella 19th Mar 18
The rescheduled East Down Foxhounds meeting at Tyrella took place on Monday and Derek O’ Connor enjoyed a fruitful day kicking home two winners
Report | Dromahane 18th Mar 18
On an afternoon that saw snow on the ground, Pat Doyle recorded his second success of the weekend in the Goffs UK Aintree Sale four-year-old maiden.
Report | Ballynoe Sat Mar 18
There was a most unusual occurrence in the Goffs UK Aintree Sale four-year-old maiden as the Pat Doyle-trained winner Axiomatic.
Report | Lismore 10th Mar 18
Donnchadh Doyle, who saddled an amazing seven winners across three meetings on Sunday, got his weekend off to the best possible start.
Report | Farmacaffley 24th Feb 18
It was a treble-winning day to remember for local rider Darie McConville at the annual Armagh fixture.
Report | Oldtown 11th Feb 18
Jamie Codd was in double-winning form on a bitterly cold day for point-to-point followers at The Folly.
Report | Killeagh 14th Jan 18
Moskovite created a favourable impression in the Killeagh opener, but would later be disqualified.
Report | Aghabullogue 7th Jan 18
Bay Ambition provided the injured handler Robert Tyner with a welcome tonic at Aghabullogue.
Report | Moira 2nd Dec 17
Burning Ambition picked-up a fourth race on the bounce for the Wexford duo of Rob James & Pierce Power.
Report | Turtulla 19th Nov 17
On the same day that Faugheen made his return to race course, his former point-to-point handler, Andrew Slattery produced another eye-catching sort in Beakstown.
Report | Dromahane 12th Nov 17
It was a good day for handler Aidan Fitzgerald who registered a double at the Duhallow Kanturks point-to-point fixture at Dromahane.
Report | Tinahely 5th Nov 17
The Wicklow Foxhounds returned to point-to-pointing when holding a fixture at Tinahely in November.
Report | Portrush 28th Oct 17
On his return to action, Sizing Coal was pushed all the way to the line as he made a winning reappearance.
Report | Rathcannon 22nd Oct 17
Track recruit Youcannotbeserious scared away the opposition in the first walkover since 1995.
Report | Loughanmore 14th Oct 17
Got The Nac proved to be another eye-catching value purchase by Kildare handler Peter Flood.
