"We're Living Our Dream": Behind The Scenes at Joseph O'Brien's Yard | Balls.ie

With almost 70 Group 1 and Grade 1 wins as a jockey and trainer to his name at just 32 years of age, it's safe to say Joseph O'Brien is a budding legend of the sport. He comes from one of the most famous families in Irish racing - his father is, of course, legendary trainer Aidan O'Brien. Joseph had just turned 16 when he rode his first ever winner at Leopardstown in 2009. In the 16 years that have followed, he's been Irish Champion Jockey and won many of the most prestigious races in flat racing, before subsequently launching a highly successful career as a trainer. O'Brien's headquarters is Carriganóg in Co. Kilkenny. We recently paid him a visit to find out what life is like on a day to day basis for a top young trainer. During a visit to Carriganóg, O'Brien's dedication to his craft was plain to see. But what does he do to switch off? In a way we're kind of living our dream. So, we don't really look for too much time off." As well as horse racing, Joseph O'Brien says he is "sports mad". "I follow every sport," he says, clarifying that he is indeed, "definitely a Kilkenny man". Meanwhile, aside from sport, O'Brien loves a cup of coffee in the morning, a cup of tea after lunch, while when it comes to his snacking, "I'm not fussy," he says, "but I do like chocolate or something along those lines." While in Carriganóg, we also spoke with Mark Power, assistant trainer to O'Brien, who oversees the day-to-day operations of the yard. Power says working with O'Brien is "great", and that the facilities generate a "great atmosphere," thanks to the size of the yard and the fact it has produced "plenty of winners" over the past few years. On working with Joseph O'Brien, Power said: "He's hugely detailed in what he does, like there's a big number of horses here, but I mean he trains them all individually." Quite simply, Power loves being a part of the flat racing industry. "Having horses good enough to go to these festivals; they're showpiece races; to be involved in it with those horses, it's just the dream," he says. On a day-to-day basis, Power said there are "so many different roles" that are crucial to the running of the Carriganóg facilities. I suppose part of my role is to try and link some of them roles together, so that all the information is communicated from the right sources, I suppose." "As soon as I come in in the morning, you're getting a detailed report from the lads who've been feeding that morning. Then we'll also liaise with the vet and there might be scopes, bloods to do that day." Joseph O'Brien and Mark Power eat, sleep and breathe their sport, and are certainly reaping the rewards for their efforts. For O'Brien's yard, attention is firmly focused on the 2025 Irish Champions Festival, which takes place on September 13-14 at Leopardstown and the Curragh. It's one of the biggest weekends on the flat racing calendar, with many of the leading horses in the world going head-to-head. "It's a big focus for us for every season," says O'Brien, who thinks the Royal Bahrain Irish Champions Stakes is one of the most competitive races in the world. He says his horse Al Riffa - who won in the Goffs Vincent O'Brien National Stakes at Irish Champions Festival in 2022 - is hoping for a big performance in this year's Comer Group International Irish St Leger.