Murphy Not The Only ‘Oisin’ Making Waves

[Wandering Eyes]

Ireland is home to a crop of some really talented apprentice jockeys at the moment and last year saw a fascinating three-way duel for the apprentice title that was eventually won by Shane Crosse who, thanks to some strong support from Joseph O’Brien, fended off determined challenges from both Killian Leonard and Ben Coen. Back in fifth place last year with 18 winners was the 2017 champion apprentice Oisin Orr, and the Donegal-born rider has made an electric start to the new season and not only is he again setting the pace at the head of the apprentice table, but he also registered the first group success of his career when he guided the Dermot Weld-trained Imaging (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) to victory in the G3 Gladness S. at Naas last month.

“It’s all going very well so far and I’m getting great support from owners and trainers and getting on some nice horses,” Orr told the TDN. “The hardest part is getting the chance on these nice horses so I’m very grateful for that,” he added.

The 21-year-old Orr’s career as a jockey began on the well-trodden pony racing path where he plied his trade alongside other up-and-coming jockeys like Ross Coakley and Rossa Ryan, and after riding 30 or so winners he made his way to former trainer Joanna Morgan at the tender age of 16 to begin the next stage in his education.

“Pony racing is a great grounding for a future jockey. Things can get pretty tight in pony races so you learn how to handle yourself in that respect and it was great practice,” he said.

Orr was granted his jockey’s license when he turned 17 and having moved to the Eddie Lynam yard he rode his first winner aboard Lynam’s Balmont Blast (Ire) (Balmont) at Dundalk just over four years ago. Orr added another five wins to his tally that year but really built on that score when riding 21 winners in 2016. Plenty of trainers were starting to take note of Orr’s talent at this stage, Tony Martin being one such trainer and he enlisted his services for Quick Jack (Ire) (Footstepsinthesand {GB}) in the 2016 Ebor H. at York. The pair finished third on that occasion behind Martin’s other runner Heartbreak City (Fr) (Lando {Ger}) but would gain ample compensation when winning the €150,000 Petingo H. at Leopardstown a month later on Irish Champions Weekend.

“That was my first major winner and to get it on a big stage like Irish Champions Weekend was a great boost. A winner like that gives people confidence that you can deliver and it definitely helped me get more rides,” Orr said.

Finishing off 2016 like that meant Orr was hot property in 2017 and his 29 winners came for 15 different trainers. Despite a small dip in winners in 2018 Orr struck up a fruitful relationship with the David Marnane-trained sprinter Alfredo Arcano (Ire), winning four times on the gelding, but perhaps a more career-defining winner came when Orr steered the Dermot Weld-trained Sorelle Delle Rose (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) to victory in a handicap at Gowran Park in May. That was Orr’s first and only win for Weld last year and while he only rode sporadically for Weld for the remainder of the season Orr has been the recipient of increased support this year.

“I only had my first ride for Mr. Weld the middle of last year and then I started going in two days a week and it’s been going great so far this year,” Orr said.

The partnership have combined for five winners so far this season including two at stakes level and Weld’s faith in the young rider was initially demonstrated when he entrusted him with the mount on Juddmonte’s Imaging in the Listed Heritage S. at Leopardstown Apr. 3 despite the rider being restricted from utilizing his 3lbs claim. Orr produced his mount with a well-timed challenge to grab the lead in the last furlong and no sooner had he landed his first stakes win, he then steered Weld and Moyglare Stud’s Titanium Sky (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) to victory in the following race, forming part of a brilliant Weld four-timer.

“Getting rides in stakes races is difficult and to get a chance like that was great and to win was even better. To win in those [Juddmonte] colours was also special. I grew up watching their horses winning all the big races and to get the opportunity to wear those colours and do something similar is a dream come true. To go and win the Group 3 then in Naas was brilliant. The ground was a bit quicker than ideal that day but he seemed to get away with it and hopefully he can keep progressing and it is exciting to be involved with a horse like that,” he said.

Orr hasn’t let recent success detract from his work schedule and apart from his two days with Weld he spreads himself around as much as possible, maintaining links with those who have supported him since he started, as well as forging new relationships. He can be found in Richard O’Brien’s yard in Limerick once a week and tries to do at least two days a week with Eddie Lynam and in between will ride work for anyone else he can. This correspondent was lucky to grab 20 minutes with Orr after he had ridden work for Francis Casey at Skryne Gallops in Meath. With Orr still claiming 3lbs he is bound to be in demand and the eight wins required for him to lose his claim should not be long in coming. Such talk inevitably leads to speculation over his chances of a second apprentice title and it is something that Orr is happy to speculate about.

“Hopefully it won’t take me too long to lose my claim and I have the option of keeping my apprentice license until the end of the year. I will probably keep it as it increases the number of races I can ride in and I suppose it will give me a better chance of being champion again,” he said.

Like every jockey with ambitions to make it among the upper echelons of their sport, international experience is a key ingredient in shaping a young rider into the finished article. To that end Orr enjoyed a stint in America the winter before last riding track work for another ex-pat done good.

“I went to work for Brendan Walsh in Florida, it was a great experience and I really enjoyed it. I learned plenty too and I’d like to go back again this year. I think it helped me in my riding also. I learned a lot about times which is something we don’t really take into account over here so it was definitely a good experience.”

In an environment that can be very tough both physically and mentally on young jockeys, Orr can count on plenty of advice and moral support from his older brother Conor, himself a very promising jump jockey who has posted a career-best this season by riding 17 winners. To his credit the younger Orr appears a very level-headed individual, a trait that should stand him in good stead and when asked what his objectives for the year and beyond were he simply said, “Just keep the head down and work hard and hopefully I’ll keep getting the chance to ride nice horses in good races; that is the key to being successful, I think.”

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