FOR me, it was a case of being in the right place, at the right time, the day Laurina arrived into Willie Mullins’ yard. One of the horses in my barn had just gone out, so I was charged with looking after the new addition. To be honest, at first glance I thought she was just another horse, as while she had decent form in France, most of the horses we buy fit a similar profile. I could never have dreamed that a little over two years later she would be lining up at Cheltenham with genuine Champion Hurdle aspirations.

Coming from a family steeped in National Hunt racing, it is a real thrill for me to be looking after such a fantastic mare. My dad, Kevin O’Brien, was a successful jump jockey who later went on to become a trainer. I used to ride out at home when I was very young and went on to race as an amateur under rules. Some of my best moments in the saddle came aboard Fingers, a horse of Dad’s on whom I won three races.

After finishing school, I went full-time with Dad for a few years before going to Willie Mullins to gain further experience. Initially, I went in as a work rider as I wanted to learn how the leading trainers did things. However, after a few months Jackie (Mullins) offered me a full-time role and I was delighted to accept. Having started in 2010, I have been in the yard ever since, aside from a year in Australia and a season with Jessica Harrington and Henry de Bromhead respectively.

BIG DAYS

Blazing Tempo, who won the 2011 Galway Plate, was the first really good horse I looked after. Up until Laurina came along, I would have said that Yorkhill was the best I was associated with. We had a few big days with him in recent years and he was a four-time Grade 1 winner.

I had Laurina from day one and as soon as I sat on her I was never going to give her up! Rachel Robins rides her out at home every day; she is a fine big mare, a lovely spin. She has a real strong personality, very temperamental and full of herself. She knows what she likes and insists on doing it her way! Laurina just loves her routine and is certainly the boss.

If she is in a grumpy mood, I know better than to disturb her; instead I will give her time. I think she tells us what to do rather than the other way around. She isn’t a horse that likes to be fussed over or given too much attention. The mare prefers to be left to her own devices rather than being groomed and patted. It’s a case of us getting in and out, feeding her and letting her get on with her day! At the same time, nothing fazes her, so no matter what else is going on around the yard she remains calm and collected.

SPECIAL

Last year at Cheltenham was pretty special, watching her power up the hill to win the mares’ novices’ hurdle. It’s hard to describe the feeling of elation I felt seeing a mare I work with at home every day show everyone else what I knew she was capable of. It’s hard not to get attached when you spend so much time with them at home; she is very special to me.

Having grown up watching the Cheltenham Festival, I am so thankful to Willie (Mullins) and all the team for giving me the opportunity to be part of the Laurina story. It would be a dream come through for us all should Laurina return to the winner’s enclosure after the Champion Hurdle next Tuesday.

Aisling O’Brien was in conversation with John O’Riordan