Summary
Alphonsus Septimus 'Phonsie' O'Brien (15 Sep 1929[1] – 5 July 2016) was an Irish jockey and racehorse trainer.[2]
| Phonsie O'Brien | |
|---|---|
| Occupation | Horse trainer |
| Born | 15 Sep 1929 Churchtown, County Cork, Ireland |
| Died | 5 July 2016 (aged 86) Kilsheelan, Ireland |
| Nationality | Irish |
He was the youngest of a combined seven sons born in Churchtown, County Cork to the two marriages of Dan O'Brien, and full-brother of racehorse trainer Vincent O'Brien.[3] He had a riding career in the 1940s which he followed by taking out a licence to train horses in 1956. He was based in stables at South Lodge, Carrick-on-Suir and later at Cashel. He trained the winner of the Galway Plate four times in succession from 1962 to 1965 and was credited with Chamour's victory in the 1960 Irish Derby. Vincent O'Brien had trained Chamour but was suspended from training after the horse failed a drugs test. Phonsie O'Brien took over the training licence while his brother was suspended.[4]
O'Brien's daughter, Mary Ann O'Brien, is a businesswoman who founded the Lily O'Brien's chocolate company.[5]
O'Brien died at his home near Kilsheelan on 5 July 2016.
References edit
- ^ "Birthdays", Racing Post, 15 Sep 2008, p. 10: `Phonsie O'Brien 79 rider of Royal Tan & Hatton's Grace'; also 15 Sep 2010, p. 7: `Phonsie O'Brien 81 former champion Flat trainer in Ireland'; also 15 Sep 2011, p. 9: `Phonsie O'Brien 82 former champion Flat trainer in Ireland'; also 15 Sep 2012, p. 24: `Phonsie O'Brien 83 champion Flat trainer 1960'.
- ^ "Tributes paid following death of Phonsie O'Brien". RTE.ie. 6 July 2016. Retrieved 9 July 2017.
- ^ "Phonsie O'Brien, brother of Vincent, dies aged 86". Irish Examiner. 6 July 2016. Retrieved 9 July 2017.
- ^ "Phonsie O'Brien dies peacefully at home". www.theirishfield.ie. Archived from the original on 8 July 2016. Retrieved 5 July 2016.
- ^ Smith, Andrea (12 June 2013). "'I'd pretend it was all fine at work, then go home and start sobbing with stress'". Herald.ie.