‘Dare to dream’: Nina O’Brien, wife of trainer Danny O’Brien, opens up on her amazing life’s journey

The Caulfield Cup was the furthest thing from Nina O’Brien’s mind when she escaped war-torn Bosnia in 1993. But as she’s done her entire life, she’ll be approaching Saturday’s big race with true optimism alongside her trainer husband Danny.

The Caulfield Cup was the furthest thing from Nina O’Brien’s mind when she escaped war-torn Bosnia in 1993.

The Bosnian War, which ran between 1992 and 1995 caused the deaths of thousands of civilians while displacing more than two million people from their homes.

Mrs O’Brien, nee Begagic, said she and her parents were among the lucky ones but still arrived in Australia only with what they could carry.

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“My parents were fortunate that they had Australian citizenship because they spent a little bit of time here in the late seventies,” she said.

“I left in about September 1993 and came out here.

“My parents came out here with just their suitcases and money still owing for their flight tickets.”

Mrs O’Brien’s fortunes turned a few years later when she embarked on a successful modelling career, which took her across the globe while based in Milan in Italy.

But she said modelling was never going to be a long-term career while meeting trainer Danny O’Brien made the decision to return to Australia easier.

Danny O’Brien is congratulated by then girlfriend, Nina Begagig, after Valedictum won the 2005 Emirates Stakes at Flemington. Picture: Nicole Garmston

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“After I met Danny, I decided to move back here,” she said.

“I enjoyed the travel. I didn’t love it as a career and didn’t really want to make anything huge out of it, but I loved the travel.

“I lived overseas for four years and travelled to all different places but it was never going to be a long-term thing for me.

“I did a few odd jobs when I got back here but I never went back to it full-time.”

The O’Brien family business, which has produced the winners of more than 1550 races and more than $100m in prizemoney, holds Nina’s focus along with children Thomas and Grace.

The O’Brien family: Nina, Danny and children Grace and Thomas. Picture: Peter Ristevski

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Danny O’Brien Racing is spread over Flemington, Geelong and 13th Beach stables, giving Mrs O’Brien plenty to do.

“I didn’t know much about racing when I met Danny, I still don’t, but I knew nothing back then,” she said.

“I work in the office and out the back (in the stable) when they need help.

“I love racing and the horses more than anything else. I love the animal”

Nina O’Brien with VRC Oaks winner Miami Bound. Picture: David Caird

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Her love for the animal could become a bit deeper if the stayer she part-owns, Young Werther, finally breaks through for a deserved win in Saturday’s $5m Caulfield Cup.

Young Werther has placed four times at Group 1 level, including in both the Victoria Derby and Australian Derby as a three-year-old.

Forecast rain could make the gelding’s task a bit tougher but, as Mrs O’Brien said, “you can dare to dream”.

“He’s always run really well but he just needs a little bit of luck and a few things to go his way,” she said.

“It would be great if he was able to do that on Saturday.

“We’ll see what happens.”

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Originally published as ‘Dare to dream’: Nina O’Brien, wife of trainer Danny O’Brien, opens up on her amazing life’s journey