JONJO O'NEILL RACING
NEWSLETTER
JANUARY 2020

​
​INTO THE NEW YEAR

​We are well into the New Year and had a strong finish to 2019 with lots of winners in December. The horses are in good health and running well which is really pleasing. We have put in a lot of hard work and added new gallops and ventilation in all the stables, so hopefully this is now paying off.

​ It has been one of the wettest months I can remember here at Jackdaws. Since last Saturday we have had 23cm of rain. However, this hasn't stopped our routine, whether it's working, schooling or exercising the horses.

With The Festival just 6 weeks away, there has been lots of talk recently about a 5-day Cheltenham Festival. For me, the 3-day festival was electric and absolutely brilliant. You had to have the very best horses to be there and adding more days will ultimately dilute the class. That said, it's probably just a matter of when not if as the temptation will probably be too much and we will all go with it. It will give more owners and trainers the opportunity of having a Cheltenham Festival winner which is the ultimate accolade.

So we would like to wish you all a very happy, healthy and successful 2020!

​Jonjo

​RECENT WINNERS

​We had our most successful December since 2016 and have already had more winners this January than we have had for 5 years.

Here are all of our winners!

 Martin, Berys, Harrison, Jay and Jonjo Jr with Sermando after winning at Huntingdon in Jacqui's family colours!

Minella Rocco with with Jojo, Harrison, Nick, Matty, Rachel and Aine O'Connor after winning his debut Hunters' Chase at Warwick.

Knight Destroyer with Jonjo Jr. and Harrison after winning at Taunton in the colours of Diane Carr.

Django Django with connections after winning at Newbury where the owners' hospitality was truly incredible. 

Annie Mc with members of the Coral Champions Club after winning at Wetherby

Arrivederci with Sir Martin Broughton and friends after winning at Wincanton

Annie Mc with Jacqui, Fred, Bruce and Jonjo Jr. after winning at Wincanton

Extreme Force with Jonjo Jr, Ebony, Martin, Alex and Harrison after winning at Catterick

Pagero with Harrison, Nick, Jonjo Jr, Bogdan and Joe after winning at Doncaster

Quarenta with Sir Martin Broughton, Jojo and Jonjo Jr. after winning at Fontwell.

Pagero with Aaron, Matty, Harrison, Bogdan and Jonjo Jr after winning at Huntingdon

Ashfield Paddy with The Honourable Mrs Elizabeth Wills, Jonjo, Morgan and Ed Austin after winning at Haydock

Cobolobo with Jonjo, Morgan and Jonjo Jr after winning at Haydock in the colours of Anne, Harriet and Lucinda Bond.

Maypole Class with Harrison and Bogdan after winning at Lingfield for the Ritblat family.

Adicci with owners ​Siobhan and Rab McAuley, Jay and Jonjo Jr. after winning at Plumpton

JONJO JR. WINS CONDITIONAL JOCKEY AWARD

A huge congratulations to Jonjo for winning the Conditional Jockey of the Year award at The Professional Jockeys Association's Lesters Awards that took place in London just before Christmas.

EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH

Congratulations to Matty Gill who has won our Employee of the Month award for January. Matty is an integral part of the team and will have been working at Jackdaws Castle for 2 years in March.

To help you get to know our staff a little more, we have asked Matty a few questions.

What is the best thing about working at Jackdaws Castle?
Most definitely working under Jonjo. He's a legend of horse racing and to be able capture some of his knowledge is a privilege.

How would you describe Jonjo in 3 words?
Loyal. Knowledgeable. A great man. That's four, sorry!

What do you enjoy about you day to day work?
I love riding Annie Mc every day and seeing her improve all the time.

What made you get into racing?
I watched racing with my dad growing up and he had horses and was always involved in the game. He tried for years to get me into the sport! Something clicked and I went to the Northern Racing School for 12 weeks. I had never sat on the horse before then and now I couldn't and wouldn't live without it.

What makes Jackdaws Castle so special?
The sheer size of the place is incredible, as well as the care for the horses and having the best facilities. From the gallops, indoor school and swimming to having the road sweeper clearing up the yard, it is all brilliant and it's like being part of a big family!

What has been your best moment to date?
Watching Annie Mc win her two races over fences this year. In my heart I knew she would be good but when she actually goes out there and wins, it's a really great feeling.

Matty recieving his bottle of Champagne from Jonjo

Nick, Matty and Tommy enjoying a day out at Cheltenham last weekend.

YOUNG HORSES

​We are delighted to start the new year with 4 horses that we sold last year returning from Lodge Down Stables in Lambourn, the pre-training premises of Sir AP McCoy. We are looking forward to continuing their progress and getting them on the track soon.

Mercutio Rock (Michael O'Flynn & Jamie Ritblat)

Red Maple (Mr Toby Cole)

Steady The Ship (Pitch Racing)

Fast Getaway (Sir Martin Broughton & friends)

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