Brian O'Connor

Brian O'Connor

Racing Correspondent

Brian O'Connor is the racing correspondent of The Irish Times. He also writes the Tipping Point column.

Naas officials monitoring freezing conditions ahead of first Grade One of 2026

Cork must pass 8am inspection for racing to go ahead on Saturday

Mill Reef’s trainer Ian Balding dies aged 87

Champion jockey Paul Townend due to return to action at Cork

Trainers ought to charge owners realistic fees rather than grumble about prize money

Prize money argument is a red herring when it comes to majority of trainers

Bumper New Year’s Day attendance at Cheltenham outstrips festival crowd

Dan Skelton faces festival poser over impressive Relkeel winner Kabral Du Mathan

Sport 2026 crystal ball: Our team of pundits share their predictions

Who will win the World Cup? Does the Six Nations still matter? Who will claim the All-Ireland? And who is set for a breakthrough year?

Henry de Bromhead hoping for more New Year’s Day success with Heart Wood

Windsor has to pass 8am inspection if it is to stage first race of 2026 in Britain or Ireland

Willie Mullins strikes back as Lossiemouth overcomes Brighterdaysahead in Leopardstown thriller

Gordon Elliott saddles Leopardstown four-timer to end Christmas period with 18 winners

Leopardstown set for potential epic clash between top mares Lossiemouth and Brighterdaysahead

Prolific Wodhooh has first start in Ireland in over two years at final day of festival

Sam Ewing’s luck continues as Affordale Fury lands star-studded Savills Chase

Teahupoo new favourite for Stayers at Cheltenham after leading home Robcour 1-2 in Christmas Hurdle

Sam Ewing completes treble after springing shock in Leopardstown feature

Jockey lands 12,662-1 treble including 66-1 shot Favori De Champdou winning the Paddy Power Chase

All eyes on racing’s top-two rated chasers in Savills Chase clash

Two-mile champion Marine Nationale returns to action at Leopardstown on Saturday

Patrick and Danny Mullins set to battle it out again for Limerick’s Grade One feature

Topweight Intense Raffles one of three Irish hopes in Saturday’s Welsh Grand National

Gordon Elliott is King of the St Stephen’s Day racing jungle with six winners

Former football manager and reality star Harry Redknapp owns King George Chase hero The Jukebox Man

Leopardstown festival: Darragh O’Keeffe makes most of chance and starts Christmas action as country’s leading rider

Cork jockey has slipped seamlessly into role as De Bromhead number one after Rachael Blackmore’s retirement

Willie Mullins in unusual position of hoping for a festive upturn in stable form

King George hopes Gaelic Warrior and Fact To File head champion trainer’s St Stephen’s Day hopes

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