...to have a horse in training with Jonjo and the whole team at Jackdaws, really makes owning a racehorse a worthwhile and pleasurable pastime.

Jeremy Hitchins

Jonjo O’Neill – as a Racehorse Trainer

jonjo oneill trainingJonjo Oneill leading two racehorses

Jonjo O’Neill is one of racing’s outstanding National Hunt trainers.

Since moving to Jackdaws Castle in the summer of 2001, he’s saddled more than one thousand winners, in the process racking up a century or more on seven occasions.

Currently in his tenth season at this state-of-the-art complex, his previous nine campaigns yielded a total of 964 winners, among them fourteen Cheltenham Festival successes and, famously in April 2010, the Grand National at Aintree with Don’t Push It.

Jackdaws Castle

Situated in the heart of the Cotswolds, Jackdaws Castle is owned by legendary Irish-based jumping enthusiast, JP McManus, who purchased then expanded the complex prior to Jonjo’s arrival. Jonjo rents the estate from JP and contrary to some opinion, is anything but a private trainer. All owners are welcome at Jackdaws, where the team already plays host to the many various types of ownership allowed by racing’s governing body, the BHA – from corporate to syndicates and partnerships. The magnificent facilities at Jackdaws are far removed from the small farm in Penrith where Jonjo began training after retiring as a jockey in 1986.

Jonjo’s Winners

Almost as soon as he started his new career, Jonjo was diagnosed with cancer. So, that he sent out only three winners in a troubled first year was irrelevant – at the end of it he was still alive!

Jonjo trained three Cheltenham Festival winners whilst based in Penrith. However, since taking over at Jackdaws success at jumping’s showcase meeting has been prolific. All told, his Cheltenham Festival tally now stands at seventeen, among them Iris’s Gift (bonusprint.com Stayers’ Hurdle), Spectroscope (JCB Triumph Hurdle), Black Jack Ketchum (Brit Insurance Spa Novices’ Hurdle) and the dual Festival winners Albertas Run (Royal & SunAlliance and Ryanair Chases) and Wichita Lineman (Ballymore Properties Novices’ Hurdle and William Hill Trophy).

2010 Grand national winner don't push itGrand national winner, Don't Push It


Although Jonjo is best known for training top-class jumpers, he’s always happy to have a few horses in training on the Flat too. In fact, early on his career, he saddled a Royal Ascot winner, courtesy of Gipsy Fiddler, who won the Windsor Castle Stakes under Pat Eddery in1990.