His most important professional relationship so far is with trainer Dan Skelton, one of the sharper operations in British jump racing. From 14 rides for the Skelton yard, O'Connor has won twice — a win rate of 14%, or roughly 1 in every 7. That might sound modest in raw numbers, but the fact that Skelton keeps putting him up is itself a signal. Trainers at that level have plenty of options, and they don't waste rides on jockeys they don't believe in.
Perhaps the most intriguing detail in O'Connor's record so far is how he performs when the ground is wet and heavy. From just 5 races on muddy ground, he has won once — a 20% win rate, or 1 in every 5. That's meaningfully better than his overall figures, and it's the kind of pattern that is worth watching. Some jockeys simply ride better in testing conditions — they're more patient, more precise, more willing to let a horse find its rhythm rather than forcing the issue. Whether that's what's happening here is hard to say from five races alone, but it's a number that stands out.
O'Connor is still in the early chapters of what could be a long career. Three years in, four winners this season, and a growing association
| Course | Races | Wins | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntingdon | 5 | 1 | 20% |
| Fontwell Park | 5 | 0 | 0% |
| Cheltenham | 4 | 0 | 0% |
| Ludlow | 3 | 1 | 33.3% |
| Southwell | 3 | 1 | 33.3% |
| Aintree | 2 | 1 | 50% |
| Newton Abbot | 2 | 0 | 0% |
| Worcester | 2 | 0 | 0% |
| Kelso | 2 | 0 | 0% |
| Hexham | 1 | 0 | 0% |
| Plumpton | 1 | 0 | 0% |
| Doncaster | 1 | 0 | 0% |
| Chepstow | 1 | 0 | 0% |
| Wincanton | 1 | 0 | 0% |
| Bangor-on-Dee | 1 | 0 | 0% |
| Leicester | 1 | 0 | 0% |
| Salisbury | 1 | 0 | 0% |