Graham Lee: Denis O'Regan recalls personal impact of injured jockey
Lee and O'Regan became close friends after the latter's move to the north of England
Wednesday, 10 January 2024
Lee was seriously injured on November 10 when unseated from Ben Macdui at the start of an all-weather handicap.
I've always admired Graham, he changed my whole dynamic - Denis O'Regan on Graham Lee
Denis O'Regan has thrown his support behind close friend Graham Lee and recalled fondly how Lee transformed his approach to life in the saddle, writes Ben Hart.
Grand National winning-jockey Lee was placed into intensive care after a fall at Newcastle Racecourse in November, prompting the racing community to launch several fundraising campaigns in aid of one of its most popular figures.
O'Regan was a colleague of Lee's following his move across the Irish Sea and remembers how the Galway native helped him to make the most of the move.
“I was very good friends with Graham, I really hope everything works out for him and I wish him and his family well,” said O’Regan, who became the first jockey to ride a winner at every UK and Irish jumps track in November.
“He’s such a great guy, he was like a footballer early in his career, he couldn’t get rides early on because he was too small over jumps. He was falling off and getting unseated and he got knocked a lot.
“He met this guy from Middlesbrough Football Club when they were in the Premier League and started training in the gym every week.
“His diet was spectacular, he was on these protein drinks and I’ve never seen anything like it, his fitness was insane.
“I always admired him for that, he changed my whole dynamic.”
These days, jockeys are required to pass a fitness test if they want to be granted a professional license.
And while today’s weighing room is a picture of health and fitness, unwavering commitment to conditioning hasn’t always been the forte of the jockey, with Lee one of the early pioneers in O’Regan’s eyes.
“When I left Ireland I didn’t realise how behind my fitness was,” added O’Regan.
“I was riding an awful lot of winners in Ireland, but I had no real fitness until I went to England, so I changed.
“I went over there smoking fags and drinking coffee like there was no tomorrow because that was what we learnt.
“I went around a lot with Graham in my second year in England. I bought a house and put my own gym in the garage, to be fair I looked at the gym for a good few months before I did anything in it, but I put it in any way.
“I changed a lot then and Graham really helped with that.”
O’Regan’s sentiments have been echoed across the racing world and a Just Giving Page set up by his 18-year-old daughter Amy has raised in excess of £180,000 for the Injured Jockeys Fund.
Support has extended beyond the stables too, with English Championship football team Preston North End wearing t-shirts bearing a photo of Lee and the words, “We are all with you, Graham” ahead of their Boxing Day fixture against Leeds United.
Closer to home, Galway Racecourse will host a Summer Festival Ball with all proceeds going towards their local rider.
Course manager Michael Moloney has encouraged any interested parties to get in touch and help support the event.
“There was an outpouring of support from the local community wanting to get involved and support Graham and his family,” said Moloney.
“It looks like it’s going to be a great night and we’ve had so much support already from people that want to be there and support Graham and his family.
“If anybody wants to be there or wants to support us, please get in touch. It’ll be a fantastic night and hopefully we’ll be able to raise a lot of money.”
Everybody at Horse Racing Ireland wishes Graham a full and speedy healthy recovery.
Please email [email protected] if you seek further information or wish to support the Ball, which will take place on Saturday 3rd August at The Galmont Hotel.
Graham’s Just Giving page can be found here:
Grand National winning-jockey Lee was placed into intensive care after a fall at Newcastle Racecourse in November, prompting the racing community to launch several fundraising campaigns in aid of one of its most popular figures.
O'Regan was a colleague of Lee's following his move across the Irish Sea and remembers how the Galway native helped him to make the most of the move.
“I was very good friends with Graham, I really hope everything works out for him and I wish him and his family well,” said O’Regan, who became the first jockey to ride a winner at every UK and Irish jumps track in November.
“He’s such a great guy, he was like a footballer early in his career, he couldn’t get rides early on because he was too small over jumps. He was falling off and getting unseated and he got knocked a lot.
“He met this guy from Middlesbrough Football Club when they were in the Premier League and started training in the gym every week.
“His diet was spectacular, he was on these protein drinks and I’ve never seen anything like it, his fitness was insane.
“I always admired him for that, he changed my whole dynamic.”
🗣️ "It's been the most horrendous week...It's going to be a long road."
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) November 18, 2023
🗣️ "He'll get all the support we can give him."
Sir @AP_McCoy updates us on Graham Lee ❤️ pic.twitter.com/8jFBW4mmwd
These days, jockeys are required to pass a fitness test if they want to be granted a professional license.
And while today’s weighing room is a picture of health and fitness, unwavering commitment to conditioning hasn’t always been the forte of the jockey, with Lee one of the early pioneers in O’Regan’s eyes.
“When I left Ireland I didn’t realise how behind my fitness was,” added O’Regan.
“I was riding an awful lot of winners in Ireland, but I had no real fitness until I went to England, so I changed.
“I went over there smoking fags and drinking coffee like there was no tomorrow because that was what we learnt.
“I went around a lot with Graham in my second year in England. I bought a house and put my own gym in the garage, to be fair I looked at the gym for a good few months before I did anything in it, but I put it in any way.
“I changed a lot then and Graham really helped with that.”
O’Regan’s sentiments have been echoed across the racing world and a Just Giving Page set up by his 18-year-old daughter Amy has raised in excess of £180,000 for the Injured Jockeys Fund.
Support has extended beyond the stables too, with English Championship football team Preston North End wearing t-shirts bearing a photo of Lee and the words, “We are all with you, Graham” ahead of their Boxing Day fixture against Leeds United.
Closer to home, Galway Racecourse will host a Summer Festival Ball with all proceeds going towards their local rider.
Course manager Michael Moloney has encouraged any interested parties to get in touch and help support the event.
“There was an outpouring of support from the local community wanting to get involved and support Graham and his family,” said Moloney.
“It looks like it’s going to be a great night and we’ve had so much support already from people that want to be there and support Graham and his family.
“If anybody wants to be there or wants to support us, please get in touch. It’ll be a fantastic night and hopefully we’ll be able to raise a lot of money.”
Everybody at Horse Racing Ireland wishes Graham a full and speedy healthy recovery.
Please email [email protected] if you seek further information or wish to support the Ball, which will take place on Saturday 3rd August at The Galmont Hotel.
Graham’s Just Giving page can be found here: