Oisin Orr is the 2017 Irish Champion Apprentice Jockey, who has ridden for Edward Lynam, David Marnane and AJ Martin to name a few. He is the rising star of Irish Racing and for those who do not follow Irish racing, here is the chance to find out about the new Jockey on the block. I had the pleasure of talking to Oisin……
But before we hear from the Champion Apprentice 2017….
I spoke to Trainer David Marnane, who told me Oisin has very cool hands to settle the horses, is very cool under pressure. A very good apprentice, to win the Championship in Ireland is a very big feat, with the depth of quality we have in the country.
Firstly may I ask how you got into racing and what your first memories of the sport were?
I got into racing through my dad and uncles they always had a few for the pony racing and when I was old enough I started and got 33 winners altogether before I went to Edward Lynam and got my apprentice license there.
I don’t really remember my first racing memory but for as long as I can remember if there was racing on the TV we would be watching it
While we are on the subject of first’s, what was your first winner and where?
My first winner was Balmont blast in Dundalk in January 2015
You seem to be getting a lot of rides with different trainers, who would you say have had a major influence on you so far?
I’m lucky enough that I get rides for lots of different owners and trainers and get on some nice horses but my agent Kevin O’ Ryan has helped me with that and he does a good job getting me on horses with good chances so hopefully that will continue this year
What has been the biggest obstacle you have had to overcome to get where you are now?
I don’t think there was any obstacles so far so hopefully it will stay that way and I can keep riding as many winners as possible
Congratulations on becoming Champion Apprentice Jockey, how did that feel and what does the future hold for Oisin Orr?
Thanks very much it was a great day that I will never forget it was getting close between me and Killian Leonard with only one winner between us going into the last day and I was lucky enough that he didn’t get a winner.
For the future I just want to keep riding as many winners as I can and hopefully get on some nice horses along the way
You also won an Award at the Donegal Sports Stars Ceremony, can you tell us what that was for and how what was it like to be recognised in that way?
The award was for the Donegal equestrian sports star of last year I think it was great to be recognised from my home county for being champion apprentice last year and it was great to get that award
With the new flat season approaching, would you be able to give us a couple of horse’s to keep an eye on throughout the year?
I’d hope that a horse that I won on last year called Nibiru could improve and he could be a nice horse for this year
If you could ride any horse PAST or PRESENT, who would it be and why?
I was lucky enough to work In the yard when he was running but I would of loved to sit on Sole Power when he was at his best he had so much speed and loads of ability and when things fell right for him he had a great change of gear for a sprinter.
I would like to Thank Oisin for his time and his prompt response to the request and David Marnane for his time in talking to me about Oisin.
We would like to Wish Oisin all the best for the future ahead and we look forward to seeing him in the Winner’s Enclosure in the very near future.
Rich Williams
arseonlineracing 