Trainer Profile

County of Origin: Cork

First winner: Phelans Fancy (Mr Michael John O'Connor) Downpatrick, March 12, 2005

Significant horses: Rebel Fitz, Missunited, For Bill, Sayce Gold, Theos Well, Western Devil, Annagh Lady, Final Question, Perfect Woman, Granny Biddy, Chatham Street Lad, Another Rebel, Johnny Gonzalez, Derrygowna Court.

Did you know: 

From Kanturk, County Cork, Michael is one of the most recognisable and popular racehorse trainers in the country. He has enjoyed tremendous success over the years, namely with Rebel Fitz and Missunited, back-to-back winners of the Guinness Galway Hurdle.  

Rebel Fitz won his first race in a bumper at the Listowel Festival in 2010 and would go on to notch up 18 career successes. Davy Russell was in the saddle when he won the Guinness Galway Hurdle in 2012. There was more to come over fences and he gave connections another huge day when winning the Grade 1 Powers Gold Cup, partnered by Barry Geraghty, at the Fairyhouse Easter Festival in 2014. His final victory came in the Grade 2 Istabraq Hurdle at Tipperary in October of the same year. 

The first of Missunited's 12 wins also came in a bumper at the Listowel Festival, in 2011. She enjoyed a terrific career which culminated in a Group 3 victory on her final start at Glorious Goodwood in 2014. In between, she landed a Grade 3 novice hurdle at Limerick on St Patrick's Day 2013 before winning the Guinness Galway Hurdle under Barry Geraghty, three months later.