Tadhg O’Shea.
Dromahane jockey Tadhg O’Shea secured the biggest win of a stellar career when he piloted Laurel River to first place in the Dubai Gold Cup last weekend. Tadhg and his mount were barely in the pre-race predictions, but they turned the race into a procession as they pulled away from all rivals to cruise home as winners for trainer Bhupat Seemar. The Dubai World Cup, is one of the richest races in horse racing, with a top prize of $12 million.
Speaking after his sensational win, Tadhg thanked the owners of Laurel River for selecting him to pilot the horse, saying, “When I came to this country in 2001, I didn’t think 23 years later I’d be winning one of the world’s richest races.”
Tadhg first travelled to the United Arab Emirates on a scholarship in 1998 when he won the Irish Apprentice Championship as a 19-year-old jockey, and over the years he has built a very successful career, winning many races. Last weekend’s win was his biggest yet, and the 42-year-old will be in great demand in the future, not least in Dromahane where his family and friends have been following his career closely.