Joseph O’Brien set for first ride over hurdles

Joseph O’Brien guiding Australia to victory in thr Juddmonte International Stakes. Image courtesy of racingfotos.com.

Series star Joseph O’Brien will miss the start of the Irish Flat season to ride over hurdles for the first time at Limerick this Sunday.

O’Brien, who has won 12 QIPCO British Champions Series races since 2012, has been booked to partner Egyptian Warrior, owned by JP McManus and trained by his father Aidan O’Brien.

Despite Joseph heading to Limerick, Ballydoyle master Aidan is set to saddle runners at The Curragh, with Ryan Moore, who has been linked with the job as stable jockey, set to take his place.

Siblings Ana and Donnacha will also ride O’Brien Snr’s contenders at The Curragh.

Joseph is expected to ride lead British Classic hopes Gleneagles, Found and John F Kennedy in the Series this season.