home > latest news >
Derby riders to honour O'Brien3rd June 2009
Jockeys in Saturday's Investec Derby at Epsom will wear black armbands as a mark of respect to legendary trainer Vincent O'Brien.
The Irish maestro, who died on Monday aged 92, won the Premier Classic six times with such champions as Sir Ivor and Nijinsky, as well as saddling two Oaks winners.
After obtaining the approval of O'Brien's family, executives at the Surrey course have revealed other tributes on the day.
"We are going to have all the jockeys in the Derby wearing black armbands," said Epsom managing director Nick Blofeld.
"We are going to have a tribute in the racecard and also there is to be a tribute on the BBC. I believe they are going to interview Sir Peter O'Sullevan, who was a good friend of Vincent O'Brien's.
"There will be a tribute on the big screen and over the tannoy system once the horses have gone past the grandstand and are on their way to post.
"We are flying flags at half-mast and we are looking at a couple of other small things for this Saturday. Then we will think of something more appropriate long term."

Vincent O'Brien - a racing legend

