To be King for a day would be the perfect National fairytale Even with the poetic licence of the Randox Grand National, the story of Connor King could seem a little far fetched. Yet to turn 30, the dual Irish champion apprentice turned fledgling jump jockey is now the trainer of just two horses – one of which, Oscars Brother, is fuelling Aintree ambitions. It is the stuff they write about in novels, and make films about. The thoughts of lucid dreams. But as time has often told on Merseyside in April – perfectly plausible. This is the archetypal Grand National story, concocted in Tipperary and set to play out in Liverpool, as King prepares for a moment in the spotlight with his horse of a lifetime, one that has already provided so many days to remember. King said: “He’s been a brilliant horse and he’s a part of our family now anyway. He’s a lovely horse to have about and even better that he is good. “It’s great and it’s something you grow up dreaming of, having some kind of association with the race. It’s great to be going over with Oscars Brother. “For as long as I can remember, we would rush home on the Saturday of the Grand National to try to sit and watch the build-up. “When you have horses and are involved in racing, you are always hoping you get a horse like him who might one day be up to running in a Grand National – or some form of National anyway. It’s great that it’s the Aintree one. “We’ve taken it one step at a time with him and he’s been taking his racing well, and now we’ve got cause to dream.” Family affairs and the Grand National are becoming a common occurrence for the Irish, but 12 months on from Willie and Patrick Mullins becoming the latest father and son team to etch their names into Aintree folklore, Oscars Brother could unite siblings in a common cause if the gelding’s regular rider Daniel King is given the nod to keep the ride on Merseyside. It would be a first ride on Merseyside for the trainer’s younger brother if handed the privilege of donning the green and gold of owner JP McManus, as he did when Oscars Brother landed the Ten Up Chase success at Navan and when a staying-on fourth at the Cheltenham Festival. “I’ve been to Aintree before to ride back in the day, but not at any big meeting. I’m not sure if Daniel is riding him yet, but it would be his first time at Aintree as well,” continued King. “It’s brilliant to have JP’s support with Oscars Brother, I’ve enjoyed it so far and hopefully it can continue. “We have two nice horses and the other fellow (Grey Jude) isn’t too bad either, they get on well together and do everything together. It helps they are both good.” As imagined, with only two horses to train comes plenty of spare hours to kill and income to be earned, with time not spent working Oscars Brother and Grey Jude likely to involve riding out for neighbour Paddy Twomey, who is only a stone’s throw away in Cashel. It is something that allows King to continue learning his craft and a calling to train that he felt long before he hung up his saddle. King said: “I always had in the back of my mind when I was riding that I wanted to train and luckily it has worked out in the last couple of years. I’m really enjoying it. “I had a good run at the riding when I was younger, I enjoyed it and feel like I learned a lot – it did me no harm. “After I stopped riding I had a few horses that I would get ready for the breeze-ups which gave me a little taste of it and it’s something I have always really wanted to do. It was kind of the obvious step.” At the age of 29 King has already achieved more than some will ever do, but for the ambitious Irishman, the next obvious step could lead to Grand National glory.
