The youngest of four girls from
Askeaton in County Limerick, she started riding at twelve years-old and was also a keen swimmer as a youngster.[1] She has worked for Equuip, the education and training department of Horse Racing Ireland and for RACE recruiting young people to trainee jockey courses and junior academies.[2][3]
Career
O’Connor made her point-to-point debut aboard Hordargo for Seamus Braddish at Dromahane in 2009.
She rode Supersede to victory at Templemore in April 2012. She won the Class 2 Clarke Chase at Uttoxeter Harry Fry, and the 2017 Ladies National aboard Coldstonesober.[4] In 2018, she rode American in the Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury.[5] That year, she won a Hunters Chase at Listowel on On The Fringe.[6]
O’Connor achieved the first double of her career at the Fairyhouse Winter Festival in December 2019, riding Demi Plie to a win in the Mares' Handicap Chase and then won on Brawler in the Handicap Hurdle.[7][8] She won the ladies’ handicap hurdle at Fairyhouse on New Year's Day 2020, winning on JP McManus-owned Spruced Up.[9]
In 2020, she won the Schiaparelli Willoughby De Broke Open Hunters' Chase on Minella Rocco.[10]
In January 2023, she won at Gowran Park on Goffs Thyestes Day where she rode Hands Of Gold to win the ladies’ maiden hurdle.[11]
In May 2024, she won the Grade Three Mares Bumper at Punchestown on Familiar Trait.[12][13] That month, she finished runner-up to Jody Townend as Champion lady amateur.[14]
