February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
A grandson of immigrants from Cork and nephew of a blacksmith, O’Connell staked out a career on the racetrack after a stint as a schoolteacher in upstate New York. He apprenticed at some of the top barns in New York and went on his own in the early 1980s after serving Joe Cantey as an assistant.
O’Connell was immediately successful, winning numerous races with a hard-knocking claimer named Laddy’s Luck. Better stock gradually arrived at his shedrow, a progression that reached its zenith with the arrivals in 1989 of Capades, an eventual winner of six graded stakes, and Thunder Rumble in 1991. The latter earned over $1 million with eight career wins, none bigger than the 1992 Travers at Saratoga. He also won the Jim Dandy and the Saratoga Cup at the upstate oval.
A straight shooter who spoke quickly and directly, O’Connell was sidelined in 1993, when he fell down a flight of stairs and suffered severe head injuries. He eventually returned to his shedrow and enjoyed a modicum of success, but health issues beset him in recent years and he retired in 2002.
FALLON IN A CYCLONE
Jockey Kieren Fallon’s reputation for controversy endured a growth spurt last week when the Crusheen, Co. Cork native failed to vigorously ride out his mount in a race at Lingfield in Britain. The horse, Ballinger Ridge, enjoyed a 10-length lead about two furlongs from home, but was caught on the wire, causing an explosion of fury from British punters. Their ire was further stoked when it was revealed that two high rollers had placed large bets through an Internet betting service on Fallon’s mount to lose.
Fallon, a six-time champion jockey in Britain, snuck a peak back at the field at the top of the lane and seemed confident that Ballinger Ridge could finish the job without much encouragement. But Rye, which was actually a heavy favorite in the race for maidens, rallied late to win a photo. Fallon didn’t notice the rival until a few strides from the wire when he hurriedly got to work.
“I’m very sorry for what happened on Ballinger Ridge and I apologize to punters who backed the horse,” Fallon said to the Daily Mirror newspaper. “[It has] been a living hell for me. I’ve been getting it in the neck from all sides, but no one feels worse about the whole thing than I do. I know the ride I gave Ballinger Ridge was a long way from being my finest.”
Britain’s Jockey Club will investigate the matter. Fallon is no stranger to sensationalism. Several years ago, he was released as contract rider to trainer Henry Cecil amid allegations that he was conducting an affair with Cecil’s wife. has been at the peak of his abilities in recent years, winning his first Breeders’ Cup race on Islington last November at Santa Anita. Many have considered him first in line this year for mounts from Aidan O’Brien. Team Ballydoyle is sure to watch the upcoming proceedings with keen interest.