The horse racing world was left reeling on August 30, 2025, when Aidan O’Brien, the legendary trainer behind Ballydoyle’s powerhouse stable, announced that his top jockey, Ryan Moore, is likely to miss the remainder of the Flat racing season due to a stress fracture in his femur. The news, delivered at the Curragh, sent shockwaves through the industry, as Moore, widely regarded as one of the world’s finest jockeys, has been a cornerstone of Ballydoyle’s success. His absence not only jeopardizes key races but also threatens the reputation and dominance of O’Brien’s Coolmore-backed operation, which has long been synonymous with excellence in global horse racing.
Moore, 41, has been grappling with pain in his right leg since the Irish Derby weekend in late June, according to O’Brien. Despite undergoing various treatments for what was initially thought to be issues with his knee, heel, or ligaments, a scan on August 29 revealed the true cause: a stress fracture in his femur, the largest bone in the human body. O’Brien praised Moore’s resilience, noting that the jockey had been riding through the pain for nearly two months. “In all fairness to him, he’s been riding with a fracture to his femur. Talk about concrete, that man is concrete,” O’Brien told Racing TV. However, the injury’s severity means Moore’s return this season is unlikely, with O’Brien stating, “He’d be very lucky, I’d say.”
The timing of Moore’s injury could not be worse. The Flat season’s climax features a string of prestigious races, including the Irish Champions Festival, the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, and the Breeders’ Cup, all of which are critical for Ballydoyle’s campaign. Moore’s absence leaves a significant void, as he has been the linchpin for O’Brien’s top horses, including recent Group 1 winners like Minnie Hauk in the Yorkshire Oaks. His remarkable record—over 200 Group and Grade 1 victories internationally and the most British Group and Listed wins of any active jockey—underscores his importance to the stable. Without him, Ballydoyle faces the challenge of maintaining its competitive edge in a sport where precision and trust between horse and rider are paramount.
Complicating matters further, O’Brien’s second jockey, Wayne Lordan, is currently sidelined by a 10-day suspension for a whip violation at Goodwood, ruling him out of the Irish Champions Festival and the St Leger. While O’Brien remains optimistic about his team of riders, including Seamie Heffernan and others, the loss of Moore and Lordan at such a critical juncture poses a logistical nightmare. “We’ve plenty of jockeys, and the lads are all there, so everyone will row in,” O’Brien said, but the absence of his top two riders could disrupt the stable’s meticulously planned strategy for the autumn.
The injury’s origins are believed to stem from Moore’s running routine, which may have initiated the stress fracture, exacerbated by an incident in Germany where a filly, Garden of Eden, whipped around at the start, forcing Moore to land heavily on his feet. This misstep likely aggravated the injury, which went undiagnosed until the recent scan. Moore’s history of pushing through physical setbacks is well-documented, with previous injuries in 2015 (neck) and 2016 (hip) forcing him to miss key races. However, his determination to compete at the highest level, even while injured, highlights both his toughness and the risks he takes to maintain his status as Ballydoyle’s number-one rider.
For O’Brien, the stakes are high. Ballydoyle, backed by the Coolmore breeding empire, is a brand built on consistent success in the world’s biggest races. Moore’s absence threatens not only this season’s results but also the stable’s reputation for reliability and dominance. Rivals may seize the opportunity to challenge Ballydoyle’s supremacy, particularly in races like the Irish Champion Stakes, where Moore has triumphed five times, and the Arc, where he has secured two victories. The potential for a disrupted season could ripple into the betting markets and the confidence of owners and fans alike.
Despite the setback, O’Brien remains philosophical, emphasizing Moore’s eventual return. “With a little bit of time, he’ll be back,” he said, expressing confidence in his jockey’s recovery. For now, the racing world watches anxiously as Ballydoyle navigates this crisis, hoping to preserve its legacy without its star jockey. Moore’s injury serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of even the most formidable teams in horse racing, where one misstep can alter the course of a season.
