CURRABEG, home for generations to John Oxx and his father, also John, is set to have a new trainer installed later this year.

John O’Donoghue, currently assistant trainer to Roger Varian, is to set up a new training operation on the Curragh with his wife Jodi, the pair hoping to start the venture with about 30 horses. Having spent a summer at Currabeg during his time studying law at UCC, John O’Donoghue is delighted to be returning to Kildare, and a place he knows well.

Speaking exclusively to The Irish Field this week, the couple outlined their plans for the coming months. O’Donoghue expects to finish his four-year stint with Roger Varian in mid to late August, in time for the yearling sale in Doncaster, while Jodi will also relinquish her role with the Jockey Club.

The couple are keen to pay tribute to John and Caitriona Oxx, and to Pat Keogh at the Curragh Racecourse, for their encouragement and the help afforded them as they made the decision to come back to Ireland and start up.

John said: “Prize money, and the strength of Irish racing, have been to the fore in helping us to decide on Ireland. What entices me is the competitiveness of Irish racing. If you do well in Ireland you can export that achievement anywhere in the world. I’ve had great exposure to racing in America, Dubai, Bahrain, France, Italy and Germany during my time with Roger Varian, and I look forward to doing something similar from Currabeg.”

Jodi added: “Mr and Mr Oxx have been simply fantastic to us, and encouraged us. We cannot thank them enough. Similarly, Pat Keogh has done a huge amount of work to sell the virtues of training on the world-class facilities at the Curragh.”

Education

The couple both attended university, but used their summer breaks to further their education in the business. John pursued his legal studies after college, before taking up a role as head lad with David O’Meara, a fellow Corkonian, when the trainer moved to York. After two seasons he joined Roger Varian. Prior to this he spent time spotting at Goffs and with Jamie Osborne in Lambourn.

“Roger and John Oxx are very similar types of trainers, taking a patient approach and being ‘target trainers’. Roger has been great to me and I would hope to target owner-breeders in Ireland as clients, as well as developing the successful racing syndicates Jodi and I have established,” John said.

In recent times Jodi has worked for the Jockey Club, delivering race sponsorships for their various tracks. While studying at UCD she spent a couple of seasons doing yearling prep at the Hyde’s Camas Park Stud, and also worked at the Aga Khan Studs.

“We feel so privileged to be coming to Currabeg at a time when the Curragh is in such a strong position. With the redevelopment of the gallops and racecourse, and also with the enthusiasm of everyone involved, we cannot wait to start training,” John concluded.

World’s best

Pat Keogh is delighted to welcome new blood to the training ranks at the Curragh. He said: “The Curragh has probably the best range of gallops anywhere in the world, thanks to a significant investment in the training grounds and the generosity of Eva Maria Bucher-Haefner.

“We have seen an increase in the number of horses in training on the Curragh and much greater use by non-Curragh trainers. Curragh trainers are having plenty of success on the track and I believe the facilities have played an important part in that.

“It is a key strategy of ours to increase the usage of the facility. The decision by John O’Donoghue to come to the Curragh is a vote of confidence in the training grounds. Obviously he could have stayed in England or gone anywhere in Ireland, but the range and quality of the facilities on the Curragh was a key factor in his decision. It is also great to see him going to Currabeg, a stable steeped in so much great history.

“There have been a number of other new trainers relocating to the Curragh and we are delighted to welcome them all. It is also nice to see the next generation of younger trainers locating here. It all augurs well for the future of the Curragh training grounds.”

Web: odonoghueracing.com