Racing is mourning former jockey Tom O’Brien and leading owner Chris Giles. Here is the racing news today, rounded up for Thursday.
Racing mourns Tom O’Brien
Tributes have poured in for Tom O’Brien, whose death at the age of 39 following a long battle with cancer was announced on Wednesday. The five-time Grade 1-winning rider was with Philip Hobbs from the start of his career until his retirement in 2023. Hobbs said: “It’s very sad, particularly for his wife Hayley and two young children.”
Jockeys wore black armbands at Bangor on Wednesday as Andrew Thornton led a tribute before racing. Champion jockey Sean Bowen, whose father Peter supplied O’Brien’s first Grade 1 winner Souffleur, said: “Tom was literally my hero growing up. He was a brilliant rider and a great person.” BHA chief executive Brant Dunshea added that “his loss is immensely difficult to process”.
Owner Chris Giles dies aged 62
Chris Giles, whose famous horses included Silviniaco Conti, Zarkandar and Tiggy Wiggy, has died aged 62. He passed away at the London Clinic on Sunday from aspiration pneumonia.
Most of his horses were trained by Paul Nicholls, with Silviniaco Conti winning two King George VI Chases plus a pair of Betfair Chases for Giles in partnership with Potensis Bloodstock. He was also part-owner of Crambo, a three-time Long Walk Hurdle winner for Fergal O’Brien, as well as 2024 Paddy Power Gold Cup hero Il Ridoto.
Away from racing, he was chief executive of Giles Insurance Brokers before co-founding PIB. Sean Bowen paid tribute to an owner who “was my first sponsor when I was 16 and a big supporter of mine when I was with Paul Nicholls”.
Jonbon heads Friday’s Cheltenham declarations as ground eases
The going at Cheltenham has eased to good, good to soft in places ahead of the three-day November meeting, which starts tomorrow. It had been good, good to firm in places earlier in the week.
Jonbon is one of only four declared for Friday’s Grade 2 Shloer Chase at 2.20pm, a race he has won twice. Harry Cobden rides Nicky Henderson’s stable star, who faces Gidleigh Park, Mighty Bandit and Saint Segal.
Ten have been declared for the Grade 2 Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle at 3.30pm, with Lock Stock and Irish raider Luck Between Us among them. Seven go to post for the Listed novices’ chase at 1.45pm, where Derryhassen Paddy aims to make amends for his recent defeat at the venue.
All eyes on Saturday’s declarations
Attention turns to Saturday’s declarations today, with 19 still in contention for the Paddy Power Gold Cup at 2.20pm. Ante-post favourite Meetmebythesea already has Harry Cobden booked, while Matata heads the weights.
Passing Diamond holds entries in both the Paddy Power Gold Cup and the Grade 2 Arkle Trial at 1.45pm, where Dan Skelton’s Kabral Du Mathan and Henderson’s unbeaten Old Park Star are among the 12 entries. Sunday’s runners will be known tomorrow, when Idaho Sun could be declared for the Greatwood Hurdle.
Racing today
There are three meetings today, all over jumps. Thurles gets the action under way, with Market Rasen and Hereford following shortly afterwards.
| Course | Code | First race | Last race |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thurles | Jumps | 11:43 | 15:48 |
| Market Rasen | Jumps | 12:06 | 15:36 |
| Hereford | Jumps | 12:30 | 15:25 |
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