Daniel M O’Callaghan

Born Ireland 1947.

Danny is an established trainer at Woodbine having trained here since 1976. His apprenticeship was served with the legendary Vincent O’Brien at Ballydoyle , the home of such thoroughbred notables as Ballymoss, Sir Ivor, Nijinsky II, The Minstrel, Alleged, Storm Bird, El Gran Senor and of course Sadler's Wells. Ballydoyle is now the European base for Coolmore.

He has trained successfully for owners such as Frank Stronach, Hill ‘n’ Dale Farms, Norcliffe Stables, Gardiner Farms and Rydell Plantation.

He has had 524 lifetime wins, won 12 stakes, and more than 9 million dollars in purses. His more recent stakes winners are Lynnseemeplease in the Kamar Stakes (Wo) and Silks or Scarlet in the Steady Growth Stakes (Wo). In 1991, multiple stakes winner Unduplicated broke a world record on the turf course at Woodbine. Dan has set track records at 1 1/6 miles, 1 mile, 7 furlongs and 5/8 of a mile on both turf and dirt.

The tragic barn fire at Woodbine in August 2002 claimed 12 of Dans’ horses and ended the racing careers of most of the others. It’s hard to come back from a blow such as that, but the resolution is showing results with stakes-placed Bay Sweetie Babe now carrying the flag for the stable and some of the youngsters showing promise last season.

Danny keeps a medium-sized stable, focusing on quality, not quantity. His horse care standards are high and his staff are expected to put the horses first at all times. Dan is renowned for his meticulous development of young horses and will not start youngsters who are not both mentally and physically fit for the challenges of racing.