Paddy Brennan and Fergal O'Brien: meet a reformed 'psycho' and a 'lucky' trainer
Peter Thomas catches up with the in-form duo making waves in the Cotswolds
In the era of Trump, Covid and snow in the Sahara, few things in life retain the ability to shock, but the news that Paddy Brennan is acting as a guru and role model to young riders still sets a tiny alarm bell ringing in the back of the head. It's a bit like finding out Jacob Rees-Mogg has resigned as MP for North East Somerset to become editor of Viz magazine.
This, after all, is the jockey formerly known as 'Psycho'. Back in the day, you'd have been more likely to find him smoking behind the bike sheds than teaching trigonometry to 3B, but if this morning is anything to go by those hotheaded times are well and truly behind him.
At Fergal O'Brien's Ravenswell Farm stables, second lot is trooping off the uphill gallop, and although everyone in the string is equal in this modern racing environment, Brennan's clearly a bit more equal than the others. It may have something to do with the 1,300 winners, or the Gold Cup on Imperial Commander, the King George on Cue Card and all manner of other Graded successes racked up in a 20-year career, but today he's the king bee at the heart of a buzzing hive of ambitious young riders.
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Copy- 'It's tough financially and last year I said I might get a job driving a lorry instead - although to be fair I'd probably crash!'
- 'I'm not here to tell people how to train but if you hide something from me, I'm gone, I'm done - and you won't see me again'
- 'I had to fly back from Saudi on the day for the awards before flying back the following day but it really was a great evening'
- 'The lads often give out to me for saying what I say - but if I didn't say what I thought I wouldn't be being true to myself'
- 'All anyone wants is a pat on the back and these awards show you mean something to the yard and the people there. It's brilliant'
- 'It's tough financially and last year I said I might get a job driving a lorry instead - although to be fair I'd probably crash!'
- 'I'm not here to tell people how to train but if you hide something from me, I'm gone, I'm done - and you won't see me again'
- 'I had to fly back from Saudi on the day for the awards before flying back the following day but it really was a great evening'
- 'The lads often give out to me for saying what I say - but if I didn't say what I thought I wouldn't be being true to myself'
- 'All anyone wants is a pat on the back and these awards show you mean something to the yard and the people there. It's brilliant'