JONJO O'NEILL RACING
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NEWSLETTER
AUGUST 2020
IT'S BEGINNING TO FEEL A BIT MORE NORMAL!
Good afternoon,
We hope you are all keeping safe and well and life is feeling a little bit more normal for you.
With the resumption of racing, more horses back, and with lots of my team returning to Jackdaws Castle, everything does seem to feel more normal which is good for the mind, body and soul.
July has seen us send out a few runners all over the country. I'm really pleased with how all of the horses are going and it's been great to pick up 5 winners July and 1 so far in August, including one on the flat. Our strike rate for the season is touching 30%. We would love to keep it there for as long as we possibly can!
Barry Geraghty announced his retirement earlier this month. In an era full of top-class jockeys, Barry was one the best. He rode lots of winners for us including Inching Closer, Spectroscope, Iris’s Gift and More Of That at the Cheltenham Festival and Shutthefrontdoor in the Irish National. We all wish him the very best in his retirement.
I look forward to seeing you all soon, either here at Jackdaws or on the course when owners and spectators are allowed back.
Best wishes,
WINNERS
We are delighted to have had 5 winners in July and 1 so far in August. Congratulations to all the connections involved.
AS YOU LIKE WINS AT SOUTHWELL
TUESDAY 14th JULY
Jonjo O'Neill Jr. produced a fantastic ride aboard As You Like to win the £6,303.06 Sign Solutions Nottingham Handicap Chase at Southwell in the colours of JP McManus.
It was a perfectly-timed ride seeing off Mr Mafia comfortably after the last fence.
Jonjo O'Neill Jr. produced a fantastic ride aboard As You Like to win the £6,303.06 Sign Solutions Nottingham Handicap Chase at Southwell in the colours of JP McManus.
It was a perfectly-timed ride seeing off Mr Mafia comfortably after the last fence.
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IMAGE VIA SOUTHWELL RACECOURSE
IMPERIAL COMMAND WINS AT HAYDOCK
SATURDAY 18th JULY
Imperial Command stayed on well in front to win on the flat at Haydock under a lovely ride from Harrison Shaw. Harrison did work experience here at Jackdaws Castle so it was lovely to see him ride a winner for us.
Huge congratulations to owners The Hon Elizabeth Wills, Michelle Thorley and Christine McAllister.
Imperial Command stayed on well in front to win on the flat at Haydock under a lovely ride from Harrison Shaw. Harrison did work experience here at Jackdaws Castle so it was lovely to see him ride a winner for us.
Huge congratulations to owners The Hon Elizabeth Wills, Michelle Thorley and Christine McAllister.
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IMAGES VIA HAYDOCK RACECOURSE
YOUNG WOLF WINS AT UTTOXETER
THURSDAY 23rd JULY
Young Wolf put in an impressive performance on his chasing debut in the hands of Jonjo Jr at Uttoxeter. A sound round of jumping saw him win comfortably by 3 lengths.
Huge congratulations to owner Mrs Gay Smith.
Young Wolf put in an impressive performance on his chasing debut in the hands of Jonjo Jr at Uttoxeter. A sound round of jumping saw him win comfortably by 3 lengths.
Huge congratulations to owner Mrs Gay Smith.
IMAGES VIA NIGEL KIRBY
Nice chasing debut... Young Wolf looks to have potential in this sphere, winning over the big ones for @JonjoONeill and @JJONeillJnr at @UttoxeterRaces pic.twitter.com/ZPVGz4naPT
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) July 23, 2020
DEMON D'AUNOU WINS AT CARTMEL
SUNDAY 26th JULY
Demon D'Aunou powered clear to win on his chase debut under a brilliant ride from Richie McLernon, in the colours of JP McManus.
This was a real team effort with our Racing Secretary Jade Aspell and Katie Stubbs doing all the work on him at home!
Demon D'Aunou powered clear to win on his chase debut under a brilliant ride from Richie McLernon, in the colours of JP McManus.
This was a real team effort with our Racing Secretary Jade Aspell and Katie Stubbs doing all the work on him at home!
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SKYLANNA BREEZE WINS AT SOUTHWELL
TUESDAY 4TH AUGUST
Skylanna Breeze finished impressively to bring up our 6th winner of the season at Southwell in the hands of Jonjo O'Neill Jr.
Huge congratulations to The Three Cabelleros partnership - Alan Nolan, Ian Fray and Tony Brookes.
Skylanna Breeze finished impressively to bring up our 6th winner of the season at Southwell in the hands of Jonjo O'Neill Jr.
Huge congratulations to The Three Cabelleros partnership - Alan Nolan, Ian Fray and Tony Brookes.
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OUR BRAND NEW WINNERS GALLERY
We thought it would be nice to record all of this season's winners in one place so we've created a "Winners Gallery".
The link for this sits under the counter on the homepage of the website. You can visit the page by clicking the button below.
THANK YOU BARRY!
On July 11th, Barry Geraghty announced that he was retiring from the saddle after an illustrious career.
Barry won all the major races, including the Grand National in 2003 Cheltenham Gold Cup twice in 2005 and 2013. He is also the second most successful rider in Cheltenham Festival history with 43 wins, which includes Inching Closer and Spectroscope in 2003, the latter giving Derrick and Gay Smith their first ever Cheltenham Festival winner. This was followed in 2004 with Iris's Gift and More Of That in 2014 for Jonjo O'Neill Racing. He also partnered Shutthefrontdoor to Irish Grand National success in the same year. These were just a few of the many winners that he rode for us.
All the team here at Jackdaws Castle would like to wish him the best of luck for the future.
Noreen and JP McManus with their family receiving the Irish Grand National Trophy in 2014
Spectroscope with Gay and Derrick Smith after winning the JCB Triumph Hurdle at the 2003 Cheltenham Festival
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More Of That winning the World Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in 2014
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A VISIT FROM DICKIE!
It was great to have Richard "Dickie" Johnson come to Jackdaws Castle and ride out.
Racing photographer Nigel Kirby was on hand to take some wonderful pictures of Dickie and Jonjo Jr. on the gallops and also of our team.
We have shared below. If you would like to see all of Nigel's photos from the morning, please click HERE.
RACEHORSES FOR SALE
There are always many ways of getting involved in racehorse ownership here at Jonjo O'Neill Racing.
Please get in touch to see what we currently have for sale.
Jonjo and his team will be attending the Goffs Landrover Sale on 12th & 13th August and the Tattersall Derby Sale on the 18th and 19th August.
For enquiries, please email Jonjo at racingoffice@jonjooneillracing.com or call 07767 480444
Please get in touch to see what we currently have for sale.
Jonjo and his team will be attending the Goffs Landrover Sale on 12th & 13th August and the Tattersall Derby Sale on the 18th and 19th August.
For enquiries, please email Jonjo at racingoffice@jonjooneillracing.com or call 07767 480444
BEHIND THE SCENES STABLE TOURS
We are delighted to be offering our wonderful VIP Behind The Scenes Stable Tours once again.
Numbers on each tour are limited to ensure all guests receive the personal attention that will make their visit very special and a truly VIP experience, as well as keeping everyone safe during this time.
For more information or to book, please email pa@jonjooneillracing.com quoting VIP Stable Tours or click HERE to visit our Stable Tours page.
EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH
Congratulations to Katie Stubbs who has won the Employee of the Month for July.
Katie has shown lots of responsibility around the yard and, this month, has been promoted to Assistant Head Lass.
We have asked her a few questions so you can get to know here a little bit more.
How did you get into racing?
My grandad has always been into racing and we used to sneak off from my grandma to go to the bookies. I would stand on the window ledge outside to see if our horse had won! When I was a bit older, I was grooming for a friend at a local show with her ex racehorse and got approached by Evelyn Slack. She offered me a job and it went on from there, I worked there part time whilst doing my apprenticeship then went on to work for her son Ken Slack.
How long have you been at Jonjo O'Neill Racing?
I've been here a year now. I’ve done my BHS stage 2 and competed in a charity race.
What is your favourite part of the job?
My favourite part about working here would have to be going racing with the horses I look after. They're all just starting out so it’s great to watch them progress! Also work days when the jockeys are in, it’s great to learn new things.
What is you best moment in racing so far?
I would have to say when I rode in the charity race. Being able to ride horses that were running in the Cheltenham Festival is great, and seeing Demon D'Aunou win this season was great too as I've been riding him every day for the past few weeks.
What do you hope to achieve?
I hope one day to be a head lass/assistant trainer. I enjoy food way too much to be a jockey!
Katie with Jonjo and Dickie Johnson. Image: Nigel Kirby
RESUMPTION UPDATE
OWNERS ON THE RACECOURSE
The BHA released their latest update regarding the return of owners to the racecourse last week. It discusses everything from Easing entry restrictions to hospitality and catering.
We shared the whole newsletter on our news page and you can read it all by clicking HERE.
JONJO JR. CELEBRATES 5 YEARS OF WINNERS
Jonjo O'Neill Jr.'s victory aboard Young Wolf on July 23rd came exactly 5 years after his first ever winner under rules when winning on Temple Lord at Worcester in an Amateur Riders' Handicap in the green and gold hoops of JP McManus back in 2015.
How time flies!
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THE GREEN ROOM EXPERIENCE
Hospitality Finder are Jonjo Jr.'s sponsors and we have been very lucky to enjoy some fantastic days in The Green Room at some brilliant sporting events.
As like many other businesses, the Coronavirus pandemic hit them very hard but it's great to see live events opening up again and we can't wait to join them again for lots of laughs and fun.
They have produced a short video of what you can expect from The Green Room Experience.
AUGUST NATIONAL HUNT FIXTURES
Here is a guide to all the National Hunt Jump Racing fixtures in August.
Wednesday 5th August
Newton Abbot
Thursday 6th August
Stratford upon Avon
Friday 7th August
Cartmel
Saturday 8th August
Uttoxeter
Monday 10th August
Southwell
Tuesday 11th August
Perth
Sunday 16th August
Market Rasen
Monday 17th August
Uttoxeter
Tuesday 18th August
Fontwell Park
Wednesday 19th August
Stratford upon Avon
Friday 21st August
Newton Abbot
Saturday 22nd August
Uttoxeter
Sunday 23rd August
Cartmel
Monday 24th August
Southwell
Tuesday 25th August
Bangor-on-Dee
Thursday 27th August
Sedgefield
Friday 28th August
Fontwell Park
Sunday 30th August
Perth
THE LYGON ARMS HAS REOPENED
It's great to see the wonderful Lygon Arms open their doors again this week!
Why not come and see your horse, or what horses we have for sale here at Jackdaws Castle, and coincide it with an incredible stay at this stunning hotel while taking advantage of our great offer below?
Receive 20% off your stay when you book your Bed & Breakfast stay on a Sunday – Thursday at The Lygon Arms 31st July – 23rd December. The offer is subject to availability and not valid in conjunction with any other offer or promotion.
To book your room or to find out more please, contact Erika Steward at The Lygon Arms on 01386 852255 or email esteward@lygonarmshotel.co.uk.
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BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES
A huge August Happy Birthday to...
Johnny Kavanagh
28th August
Happy work anniversary to...
Enescu "Bogdan" Florin
3 years at Jonjo O'Neill Racing on August 7th
Alex Howitt & Georgia Plumb
2 years at Jonjo O'Neill Racing on August 20th
SOCIAL MEDIA
We are doing our best to entertain you all on our social media channels sharing all sorts of things including quizzes, race replays and everything that is going on here at Jackdaws during the pandemic.
We have also created a Youtube channel where we will post videos.
Please give us a follow on all of them if you're not already! Here are all the links.
twitter.com/JonjoONeill
facebook.com/JonjoONeillRacing
instagram.com/jonjooneillracing
Youtube
youtube.com/channel
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWS
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If you would like to receive our newsletters, please subscribe using the form below.
If you would like to get in touch and find out more about getting involved in racehorse ownership please call us on 01386 584 209 or email racingoffice@jonjooneillracing.com.
If you would like to get in touch and find out more about getting involved in racehorse ownership please call us on 01386 584 209 or email racingoffice@jonjooneillracing.com.
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