JONJO O'NEILL RACING
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NEWSLETTER
JUNE 2020
IT'S GREAT TO BE BACK!
Hello everyone,
I hope you are all staying safe and well, and have enjoyed the incredible weather we had throughout May.
There's no better place to start than with the return of racing. It seems a while since March 17th and it's fantastic to get going again. A huge credit to the BHA (British Horseracing Association), NTF (National Trainers Federation) and the government for all of their efforts in making this happen, and to Racing TV, Sky and ITV who will be giving it lots of airtime. It's brilliant for the sport.
It was great to have a runner at Kempton on Tuesday. Imperial Command ran nicely to finish a very credible sixth in a strong field.
We're looking forward to the BHA announcing the full jump fixture list on June 13th with the resumption on July 1st.
We have always had a very strong team ethos here at Jackdaws Castle and it made me feel very proud that "Team Jackdaws" has reached the last four in the Lycetts Team Champion Award for yards with over 40 horses. A huge amount of time and effort went in to submitting our nomination and it would be great for the team if we could win it!
You may have seen it on social media that I got back in the saddle last week... they seem to go a bit quicker than they used to or I have just got slower!
It's been 15 years since my last spin. Jacqui bought me a Western Saddle to go riding with the children. On the ride the boys dared me to jump a hurdle which I did of course. The horse ballooned over the jump and I landed on the pummel of the saddle. I nearly castrated myself!
It seems to be going a little better this time. We have shared some pictures below.
ENTRIES & RUNNERS
It was great to be back racing at Kempton during the week with Imperial Command, owned by three lovely ladies,
Michelle Thorley, The Hon Elizabeth Wills and Christine McAlister
The Jockey Club and BHA did a fantastic job organising the day to adhere to the government's advice, keeping everyone safe.
The masks that AJ and Jacqui are wearing were included in a pack sent out by CHB Medical along with gloves, hand sanitiser and lots more PPE.
With these fantastic precautions and regulations in place, we're very much looking forward to jump racing starting on the 1st of July.
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LYCETTS TEAM CHAMPION AWARD
We are delighted to be one of the final four in the Lycetts Team Champion Award for yards with over 40 horses. By reaching the final four, we have achieved Gold accreditation, which is for yards that show outstanding levels of team ethos and staff engagement.
The Lycetts Team Champion Award celebrates and rewards racehorse training yards that develop a high performance team using the highest standards of employee management, including safe working practices. A £4000 prize awaits the winner in both categories – yards with 40 or more horses, and yards with fewer than 40 horses.
We are the only jump yard to have reached the final four in the yards with over 40 horses category.
A special mention to Jo O'Neill for her hard work and time in submitting our nomination. It is a fitting reward for all of our hard-working staff and we all have our fingers crossed to hopefully go on and win the award.
The winner will be announced on Thursday 12th June.
BBC COUNTRYFILE
BBC Countryfile, and our friend and neighbour, Adam Henson came to visit us a couple of weeks ago to discuss the racing industry during lockdown.
Jonjo and Adam spoke about the effects that these unusual times are having on the racing industry and how important it is to get going again.
This was obviously filmed before the government's decision at the weekend to get flat racing back on.
The show will be broadcast this Sunday (7th June) at 7.15pm on BBC One.
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FAMILY EXERCISE!
With the staff furloughed, it's all hands on deck for all of the family. It's been lovely for Jacqui and myself to exercise the horses with the boys.
(Left to right) Jonjo Jr. on Hey Joe, Jonjo on Extreme Force, Jacqui on His Dream and AJ on Tidal Watch.
CLICK ON THE VIDEO TO WATCH
A bird's eye view over Jackdaws Castle and Jonjo riding with the boys on the round gallop!
A bird's eye view over Jackdaws Castle and Jonjo riding with the boys on the round gallop!
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EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH
With our yard staff furloughed, we are without an employee of the month for May.
We look forward returning to normal and welcoming all the team back once it is safe to do so.
A MESSAGE FROM RICHIE
After a couple of months of lockdown, it's great to have Richie McLernon back riding out here at Jackdaws Castle, adhering to all the social distancing rules.
He wanted to send you all a message.
HORSES ON THEIR HOLIDAYS
Many of the horses are continuing to enjoy their holidays and loving this gorgeous weather that we have been blessed with in the last month.
We have started getting our summer team back in, in readiness for racing to resume in July.
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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
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Happy June Birthday to...
1st June
Enescu Bogdan Florin
13th June
Florin Mirea (Fred)
25th June
Alan Berry
Katie Stubbs
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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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