The Leopardstown Christmas Festival runs from December 26 to 29 and Aine says she always keeps an eye out for the outfits when she’s getting ready to race.
Originally from Askeaton, Co Limerick, Aine now lives in Kildare and works for Equuip, the education and training department of Horse Racing Ireland.
“There’s great excitement for Leopardstown, it’s always a great festival both socially and for racing,” she said.
“It’s always great to go meet friends afterwards and we always have an annual night out after the last day of racing. I’m really looking forward to it.
“It’s the glamour side, it’s great. I love it. Even the days I am racing, I always look at the outfits. I remember going at 13 years old for the first time, I’ve been going there for many years now.
“Christmas for some people is just leaving their jammies on all day. So it’s lovely to break that ritual and get out and about and pull out the nice clothes.
“I love to plan and style my outfits a couple of weeks in advance. If I buy a nice coat for Christmas, I’ll save it for Leopardstown. It’s an occasion and a day out.”
Aine O’Connor often races in the colours of JP McManus
As a child, Aine was a keen swimmer, but her attention quickly turned horses and she now regularly wears JP McManus’ famous green and gold colours on the racetrack.
Aine is married to former jockey Niall Madden who won the Aintree Grand National on Numbersixvalverde in 2006. Her sister Ciara is also a jockey and is married to racehorse owner Harry Fry.
“It all stems from the love of my first pony, it all snowballed from there. I never see it as work, it’s absolutely a hobby to me and I enjoy it entirely,” she said.
“When I’m not racing, I’d nearly be in bad form, it’s absolutely my passion. I’ve met some of my best friends through racing and I met my husband through racing. It’s a way of life for me and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
“This year, I’ve been quite lucky. I’ve had a winner at Fairyhouse Easter festival, Punchestown Festival and Galway Festival. Any of those festivals, to get a winner, there’s always a great crowd and it’s a momentous occasion.
“The highlight for me was definitely Familiar Dreams winning the Grade Three at Punchestown this year. She went on sale the day after for €310,000 and she only cost €5,000 to buy initially. It was a real success story.
“I’m always very aware that trainers, stable staff, owners, they put a lot into the horse. I’m often the final person to try and get that horse to win.
“Whether it’s a big race or small race. The small race can be someone’s big race. So I’m very conscious of that. I don’t want to be the reason their horse doesn’t win. That is the only time I’d get a bit nervous.”