Grainne racing in Punchestown festival and Cork for Dermot Weld. Riding work in Newmarket. Eventing, showjumping, showing her horse Chubaka.
Snowfairy winning the Oaks. Namid winning at the Curragh. Red Cadeaux at the Melbourne Cup. Rebelline winning the Tattersalls Gold Cup group 1
Professional Background
Gráinne Ní Chába‑Byrne has worked in the racing industry for over 35 years and has practised as a veterinary equine physiotherapist for 25 years.
In Ireland, she was Owner and Director of Curragh Animal Physiotherapy, based at the Curragh — Ireland’s racehorse training hub. For eight years, the centre provided inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation programmes with facilities including an equine swimming pool, arena, and loose‑jumping circuit. She worked on referral with leading veterinary practices, including Anglesey Lodge Equine Hospital (E.C. Gowing MVB MRCVS and Marcus Swail BVMS MRCVS) and Troytown Equine Hospital (Frank McGovern MVB MRCVS). During this time, she worked alongside some of Irelands most respected trainers and horses, building a reputation for professionalism and results:
Some of the notable Horses (Ireland)
- John Oxx
- Namid — Prix de l’Abbaye (G1, 2000)
- Strategic — Flying Five Stakes (G3, 2000)
- Willie Mullins
- Florida Pearl — four‑time Irish Hennessy Gold Cup Chase winner (1999–2004), Cheltenham Bumper (1997), Royal Sun Alliance Chase (1998), King George VI Chase (2001)
- Missed That — Durkan Novice Chase (G1, 2005)
- Holy Orders — Punchestown Champion Stayers Hurdle (G1, 2003)
- Rule Supreme — Irish Hennessy Gold Cup (G1, 2005); French Champion Hurdle (G1, 2004)
- Tony Mullins
- Pedro Bob — Vincent O’Brien County Hurdle (G3, Cheltenham, 2003)
- Kevin Prendergast
- Rebelline — Tattersalls Gold Cup (G1, 2002); Pretty Polly Stakes (G2, 2001)
- Mustameet — Royal Whip Stakes (G2, 2006); Gladness Stakes (G3, 2007)
- Edgar Byrne
- Jalmira — Coolkey Fillies Stakes (2008); Ben Marshall Stakes (Listed, 2007); Irish Cambridgeshire (2007)
- Sandhurst - Navan – Ten Up Novice Chase (Grade 2, Feb 2008) Winner; Cheltenham Festival – RSA Chase (Grade 1, Mar 2008) placed
- James Burns
- Romaneyli — Shergar Cup Distaff (2000)
- Cian O Connor
- Waterford Crystal - Winner of the Grand Prix at the Dublin Horse Show,2003 ; Donaueschingen European Championships – 5th with the Irish team; 2003 Barcelona CSIO Super League Final – Placed 8th
- Irish Independent Echo Beach - 2003 Dublin Horse Show Puissance - 2003 Olympia (London International Horse Show) - 2004 Hickstead Puissance— strong puissance performances, placing in the top ranks.
Gráinne was later invited to the UK to help launch one of the first Equine Hydrotherapy Centres with Oakham Vets at Moulton College. Managing state‑of‑the‑art hydrotherapy facilities — aqua treadmill, cold spa, and swimming pool — she achieved Ofsted 1 status, BHA Certificate of Approval, and a Certificate in Pool Plant Operations, also lectured with live demonstrations on rehabilitation and fittening using hydrotherapy modalities. She built a top‑class predominately sport horse client base that used hydrotherapy modalities as part of their training and rehabilitation - notably:
Piggy French - Some Day Soon - 2009 European Championships - team gold, individual silver. Jakarta - 2010 World Equestrian Games - individual 16th.
Dai Lampard - Master Cruise; Williams Spirit
Following her passion for thoroughbred racing, she moved to Newmarket where she became resident equine physiotherapist and hydrotherapist at La Grange Stables with Ed Dunlop. For two years she managed the cold spa, water treadmill, and high‑speed treadmill, working with elite horses including:
- Snow Fairy – winner of The Oaks, Irish Oaks, Irish Champion Stakes, Hong Kong Cup, Prix Jean Romanet, and Queen Elizabeth II Commemorative Cup.
- Red Cadeaux – winner of the Hong Kong Vase and runner‑up in the Melbourne Cup.
Qualifications & Professional Contributions
Gráinne Ní Chába‑Byrne holds a CertAT ( Sherry Scott - International Association of Animal Therapy 2000), DipESMT (Don Doran - Equine Dynamics, USA 1999), HND EqS (Welsh Agricultural College, Aberystwyth 1995), Certified Practitioner in Kinesio Tape - equine & human - ( Kinesio 2021), trained in Equine Acupressure , and holds a Level 7 Certificate in Clinical Education (Nottingham University 2016 - a postgraduate qualification recognised as Master’s level within the EU framework). She was recognised with the Top Student Award. She is actively advancing her professional development, currently studying for a Level 6 qualification in Equine Hydrotherapy (equivalent to Level 8 within the EU framework).
Beyond clinical practice, Gráinne has played a leading role in advancing the profession: she founded and chaired the Institute of Equine Hydrotherapists (2020–22), developed hydrotherapy research logbooks and water‑management resources, co‑authored the first SEG ABC Level 2 Hydrotherapy course, and served eight years as Council Officer with IRVAP, overseeing marketing, communications, CPD course delivery, and member promotion.
Gráinne has worked with leading trainers including D.K. Weld, J. Oxx, A. Evans (Ireland); N. Brennan, M. Chew (USA); N. Chance, W. Muir, S. Moore, V. Sloane (UK). She also rode as an amateur jockey and was a member of the Racegoers Consultative Forum, promoting racing for Horseracing Ireland.
Her extensive knowledge of the racing industry and hands‑on experience with thoroughbred racehorses give her a unique advantage as an equine physiotherapist. She has worked alongside some of the most respected and exceptional horses in International racing with champions across both flat and national hunt disciplines, reflecting the breadth and depth of her professional experience.
In 2012, she launched Newmarket Equine Physiotherapy, which has since grown into a trusted and widely recognised practice. She is affectionately known by clients as “G”.
Testimonials
Veterinary Endorsements:
- “I found her to be very competent both as a horsewoman and physiotherapist. I have also found her extremely easy to work with.” — E.C. Gowing MVB MRCVS & Marcus Swail BVMS MRCVS, Anglesey Lodge Equine Hospital (IRE) “Gráinne has developed a reputation for professionalism and a track record of good quality work… a very experienced horse person… the quality of her work was excellent, and she displayed great patience in treating what was a rather difficult patient.” — Frank McGovern MVB MRCVS, Troytown Equine Hospital (IRE)
Trainers & Riders & Owners:
- “I get regular Sports Massage for my horses from G and when needed physiotherapy.” — Julia Feilden Racehorse Trainer
- "Grainne stands out as a truly exceptional equine clinician....horses respond to her calm, patient manner..." Pete Hickey Owner
- “I have found Gráinne very helpful with the physio treatment she applies to my horses with great successes.” — Jane Chapple‑Hyam Racehorse Trainer
- “I use G Physiotherapy on horses at Diomed Stables with excellent results.” — Stuart Williams Racehorse Trainer
- “Gráinne is a fantastic Equine Physio… each horse is treated for its individual needs. Highly recommended.” — Charlotte Mitchell Eventer & Spillers Nutritionist
- “My horses get regular sports massage and physiotherapy treatments from Gráinne helping their flexibility, strength and performance.” — Dan Delsart International Showjumper
- “She treated my eventer after a serious muscle problem in his back last year and he hasn’t looked back.” — Amy George Event Rider
- “Best in industry in my (and my mare’s) opinion!!!” — Fiona Louise Hirst Event Rider
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Operating the High Speed Treadmill
The great Florida Pearl, Rule Supreme, mustameet, Rebelline and Pedro Bob
Strictly Silver winning the Ayr Cup - Trainer Alan Bailey
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Vercingetorix winning in Dubai trained by Mike De Kock
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Wurring loose schooling at the Links Newmarket and Grainnes three thoroughbreds enjoying the summer sunshine