The most intriguing thread in his record is the partnership with Dalmatic. Seventeen races together and just one win sounds like a frustrating story, but it also tells you something important: O'Doherty keeps coming back to a horse he believes in. That kind of patience and loyalty is a personality trait as much as a training decision, and it shapes how a small yard operates.
Less easy to explain is the association with jockey Philip Byrnes. Twelve rides together and no wins from any of them is a combination that, on paper, simply hasn't clicked. Whether that changes with more time is an open question, but for a trainer working with limited ammunition, getting the most from every jockey partnership matters.
What does stand out in a more positive light is how O'Doherty's horses perform on very wet ground. One win from nine races in those conditions gives him an 11% win rate in the mud — meaningfully better than his overall figure — which suggests he may have a knack for placing horses well when the heavens open, or simply that his horses are built for a slog. Either way, it is a useful edge for a trainer to have.
Two winners from 28 runners this season won't set the world alight, but the direction of travel is the right one. O'Doherty is still early in his training career, and small yards rarely announce themselves with a fanfare. The progress, quiet as it is, is real.
| Course | Races | Wins | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Limerick | 5 | 1 | 20% |
| Kilbeggan | 4 | 0 | 0% |
| Cork | 3 | 0 | 0% |
| Thurles | 3 | 0 | 0% |
| Killarney | 2 | 1 | 50% |
| Punchestown | 2 | 0 | 0% |
| Listowel | 2 | 0 | 0% |
| Wexford | 1 | 0 | 0% |
| Tramore | 1 | 0 | 0% |
| Ballinrobe | 1 | 0 | 0% |
| Down Royal | 1 | 0 | 0% |
| Naas | 1 | 0 | 0% |
| Fairyhouse | 1 | 0 | 0% |
| Galway | 1 | 0 | 0% |