Joseph O’Brien is bringing the glamour back to horse racing and it’s great to see

Niall McIntyre

Joseph O’Brien is making horse racing attractive again.

The Melbourne Cup winning trainer has enjoyed a wonderfully successful 2017.

He saddled 102 winners across flat racing and National Hunt in Ireland during the year.

His prize money for the year was bordering on €2 million. He’s surpassed distinguished trainers Noel Meade, Jessica Harrington and Henry De Bromhead on the National Hunt listings, and the likes of Jim Bolger, Willie McCreary and Michael Halford on the flat.

Joseph O’Brien is a gentleman. He’s softly spoken and widely respected. In recent weeks, he’s been active on Twitter, posting videos of his horses and scenic pictures of his gallops in Ownings, Piltown, Kilkenny.

On Wednesday night O’Brien asked the people of Twitter to help him put a name on his well-bred filly by Presenting on Wednesday evening.

It’s mad how a horse’s name brings them to life. Take Arkle – Arkle was one of the best national hunt horses to ever jump a fence, and now, now Arkle isn’t just the horse’s name. It’s a word that we associate with horses. One of the biggest races in the Cheltenham festival is called “The Arkle Chase”

Some horses are remembered for their names, not for their success. An Australian horse called “Horsey McHorseface” galloped to victory in a race in Cessnock last year. That didn’t come to global attention because he won.

Dangerousdanmagru is a former Irish national hunt horse best remembered for his colourful name.

It isn’t just people that enjoy the views from The Hill… pic.twitter.com/2JcRZt4tYo

— Joseph O'Brien (@JosephOBrien2) January 9, 2018

Rigour Back Bob was always a tester for commentators, but it sounds so good when perfectly pronounced.

The walk home from morning work on the Hill. pic.twitter.com/k30EGe4zHW

— Joseph O'Brien (@JosephOBrien2) January 4, 2018

Many horse’s names derive from their breeding details, and that’s why O’Brien attached all of the horse’s information on this front.

Ever wanted to name a racehorse? Now's your chance! This well-bred filly by Presenting (pedigree below) needs a name and we will name her after the best suggestion made on here that is available. It can't be longer than 18 characters and must be clean! RT and spread the word. pic.twitter.com/28QjhYPBVr

— Joseph O'Brien (@JosephOBrien2) January 10, 2018

The tweet took off on social media, with more than 500 replies in one hour.

We’ve picked some of the best names so far (In our opinion)

‘Mans not trot’ would be a big hit with BigShaq fans.