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Irish-born 21-year-old Lisa O’Connor has undoubtedly made her mark in the Northern area, riding two winners from three rides on the Lucinda Russell-owned and trained nine-year-old Whatdeawant. In winning the level two conditions race on Saturday at Hexham, she beat the Joe O’Shea trained favourite Monfin Girl partnered by the more experienced Henry Crow.
From Tipperary, Ireland, O’Connor began working for Russell in February 2024. Initially, it was to be for two months, but she loved it so much she stayed. What is more impressive is that she transferred her university course to Abertay University in Dundee so she could continue her studies. O’Connor tells me: “I do Monday and Tuesday afternoons at the University and Wednesday 9-5, and the rest of the time I work for Lucinda and Michael. I realise I am so lucky to have this situation.”
In Whatdeawant, O’Connor has a partner who, in his early days, made his own mark by winning a bumper on debut and a maiden hurdle. Also based in Ireland at the time and handled by supremo Willie Mullins, he finished third in the 2022 Ballymore Novices Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
A move to the Lucinda Russell yard in Kinross, Scotland, led to a few runs over fences before connections decided it was time for a change. Russell and Partner Peter Scudamore have always been keen to support yard staff by having point-to-pointers run for them. Many will remember the prolific Badger Foot, who had two stints running pointing, providing several jockeys with valuable experience and winners. Whatdeawant has started on the right track so far in giving O’Connor the dream start to a race-riding career.
I ask O’Connor what he is like, and she says: “He is a character, I ride him every day and love him. He had lost his way under-rules. He ran up until Christmas time in 2024, then Lucinda bought him to go down the pointing route. Last season was incredible; we had two runs, and he won on my first ride and finished third on the other occasion. He was awesome then, but on Saturday, he felt even better.”
Looking forward to the season ahead, she adds: “I have just gained my Cat A Amateur license, so the dream is that we run in a hunter-chase later on. I would also love to gain more contacts and rides. I am willing to travel to ride out if opportunity knocks.”
With a Law and accountancy degree underway, I wondered what the end goals were for O’Connor, and she was swift to reply: “To be a jockey. I am doing university to keep Mum happy!” She laughed and confirmed that it was ok to print! She continues: “Soon after coming to Lucinda’s, I realised the support here was amazing, and race-riding was something I really wanted to pursue. I had caught the bug. The whole team here have given me lots of guidance, I have had lots of opportunities schooling with Patrick Wadge and Derek Fox, Derek is the ultimate horseman and has been so helpful. Peter and Lucinda invest so much time in us ‘wannabes’. Being backed by people also fills you with confidence, and that is something I really appreciate.”
Michael Scudamore, Russell’s training partner and son of Peter, says of O’Connor: “Lisa wanted to race-ride as soon as she came over, she is a great girl, works hard and rides well. We have always had some pointers for the staff, and it is great to get them involved and also for us to support Northern point-to-pointing as much as we can.”
O’Connor appears to have maturity beyond her years, and I was keen to learn more about the past. She explains: “I grew up in the Pony Club, doing hunter trials and a bit of eventing. I went to work for Donnacha O’Brien, and whilst there on a Monday, I went to Enda Bolger’s. That was incredible – I was keen to learn at school, and the facilities there are unreal. Enda schools himself too, and I gained so much there.”
I dug a little deeper into O’Connor’s past, wondering about racing connections in her homeland, and sure enough learned that she is the granddaughter of Christy Lee. Lee trained Lesabelle to win the 1973 Galway hurdle, and her Uncle, Norman Lee, continues to train around twenty horses in County Clare.
When asked about racing idols or people whom she admires, with no thought, she answers: “Rachael Blackmore is the standout, and before her, Nina Carberry and Katie Walsh were my inspiration.”
My assumption is we will hear a lot more of O’Connor, and whilst we are in the very early days, it feels like the right path is being paved. Under the guidance of the right people and with the right partner in Whatdeawant, I am willing to bet even better days are ahead.
