JONJO O'NEILL RACING
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MARCH 2024
Hello March... it's that time again!
Cheltenham is in the forefront of everyone's minds and excitement is building in the Cotswolds and across the yard here at Jackdaws.
Although it's not the be all and end all, it's still an incredibly special place to have a horse running and a trainer and owner and to lead one up as a groom.
As always, it was brilliant welcome the brilliant TalkSport Breakfast Show up today for the live broadcast of their Breakfast Show. It's always great fun with Alan Brazil and Ray Parlour and a great way to start the week to get the juices, and champagne, flowing!
For the rest of the week, we can't wait to welcome lots of our owners and friends to the yard before they head off to Cheltenham.
We will be taking a small team to Cheltenham but will hope many of them go there with a live chance. You can read about them below.
Although the weather interrupted many fixtures throughout February, we still managed to have a very productive month with 13 winners, including Saint Davy victorious in the £100,000 Handicap Hurdle at Sandown, Regal Blue winning for our wonderful sponsors Martin and Iwona Tedham and Bill Joyce, We're Red And Blue, Diamond Dice, Mammies Boy, Tap N Go Leo and, most recently, Mister Meggit all very impressive.
It was also a month where Ben Macey rode his first ever winner aboard Copper Cove at Fontwell. There were lovely scenes after the race and it was great that he could share this moment with his mum and dad who were there to support.
I hope you all have a wonderful festival week, whether you are going to the course or watching on TV, it's still the best four days in the sporting calendar where dreams and lifetime memories are made!
Stay healthy and best wishes,
Jonjo
RECENT WINNERS
MISTER MEGGIT IMPRESSES AT DONCASTER
MARCH 3
Mister Meggit travelled very strongly to cantered to victory at Doncaster under a super calm ride by Jonjo Jr.
Always in touch with leaders, they made steady headway from 3 furlongs out and led going easily, pulling away in the final 100 yards.
Many congratulations to Hemmings Racing!
Always in touch with leaders, they made steady headway from 3 furlongs out and led going easily, pulling away in the final 100 yards.
Many congratulations to Hemmings Racing!
Mister Meggit with Mick Meagher, Cain, Jonj and Jonjo
Photograph courtest of Nigel Kirby
Photograph courtest of Nigel Kirby
WE'RE RED OR BLUE WINS ON DEBUT AT HEREFORD
FEBRUARY 25
We're Red And Blue made a winning start to his racing career at Hereford in the hands of Richie McLernon.
Always prominent, they disputed the lead halfway and was pushed along soon after. They led clearly home turn and was ridden in final furlong, just hanging on for victory.
We are absolutely thrilled for owner Patrick Doyle, huge congratulations!
Always prominent, they disputed the lead halfway and was pushed along soon after. They led clearly home turn and was ridden in final furlong, just hanging on for victory.
We are absolutely thrilled for owner Patrick Doyle, huge congratulations!
We're Red And Blue with Meg, Jonjo, John and Richie.
Bill Joyce makes it two in a row at Exeter
FEBRUARY 23
Bill Joyce followed up his win at Warwick with an equally impressive victory at Exeter under a confident ride by AJ O'Neill.
Making all, he was pushed along and went clear from 2 furlongs out and going on to win by comfortably by 8½ lengths.
We are delighted for Danny, Heather, Linda and Mike!
Making all, he was pushed along and went clear from 2 furlongs out and going on to win by comfortably by 8½ lengths.
We are delighted for Danny, Heather, Linda and Mike!
Bill Joyce with Aaron, Liah, AJ and Alex
DIAMOND DICE WINS AT LUDLOW
FEBRUARY 21
Diamond Dice put in an impressive display on his second time over hurdles to win at Ludlow under a superb ride by Kevin Brogan.
Always prominent, they went second 4 out and was shaken up to go into the lead 2 out. He was ridden up the run-in, running on well to win by 2 lengths.
We are absolutely thrilled for owner Mark Ali who had his first ever winner!
Always prominent, they went second 4 out and was shaken up to go into the lead 2 out. He was ridden up the run-in, running on well to win by 2 lengths.
We are absolutely thrilled for owner Mark Ali who had his first ever winner!
Cain leading Diamond Dice and Kevin into the winners enclosure at Ludlow
IMPERIAL BEDE WINS ON CHASING DEBUT AT SOUTHWELL
FEBRUARY 18
Imperial Bede got off the mark over fences at the first time of asking at Southwell under a lovely ride by Jonjo Jr,
Making virtually all the running, they were pressed throughout and went clear after 2 out. He was pushed along briefly and won easily, easing down by 13 lengths.
Many congratulations to owner JP McManus.
Imperial Bede with Jonjo, Meg and Jonj
REGAL BLUE WINS AT HAYDOCK
FEBRUARY 17
Regal Blue won for the first time over fences in impressive style at Haydock in the hands of Nick Schofield.
Always near the front, they led clearly after the 5th obstacle and stayed there for the rest of the race, They were joined at 2 out but ran on really well and won going away.
Huge congratulations to Martin and Iwona Tedham!
Always near the front, they led clearly after the 5th obstacle and stayed there for the rest of the race, They were joined at 2 out but ran on really well and won going away.
Huge congratulations to Martin and Iwona Tedham!
Regal Blue with James, Jo, Bethany, Chloe, Liz, Nick, Toby and Alex in the winners enclosure at Haydock
A MIDWEEK DOUBLE
FEBRUARY 14
We enjoyed a wonderful Wednesday with both Copper Cove and Soldierofthestorm winning at Fontwell and Hereford respectively.
There were emotional scenes at Fontwell where Ben Macy rode his first-ever winner aboard Copper Cove. We are all absolutely delighted for him as he works so hard and deserves his opportunities. Many congratulations to owner Lizzie Wills!
This was followed up at Hereford where Soldierofthestorm and Jonj ran out impressive winners in testing conditions.
Congratulations to owner Tom Bond!
There were emotional scenes at Fontwell where Ben Macy rode his first-ever winner aboard Copper Cove. We are all absolutely delighted for him as he works so hard and deserves his opportunities. Many congratulations to owner Lizzie Wills!
This was followed up at Hereford where Soldierofthestorm and Jonj ran out impressive winners in testing conditions.
Congratulations to owner Tom Bond!
Copper Cove with owner Lizzie Wills, Joe, John, Ben and Ben’s parents John and Sophie at Fontwell.
Soldierofthestorm with Jonjo, Tom Bond, Alex P and Jonj
TAP N GO LEO WINS READILY AT CATTERICK
FEBRUARY 12
Tap N Go Leo got back to winning ways with a 5½ length victory at Catterick in the hands of Jonjo Jr.
Always prominent, he was shaken up before 2 out and was going best approaching the final hurdle, before rallying up the run-in and won going away.
We are delighted for Alan, Tony and Ian of The Three Cabelleros!
Always prominent, he was shaken up before 2 out and was going best approaching the final hurdle, before rallying up the run-in and won going away.
We are delighted for Alan, Tony and Ian of The Three Cabelleros!
Tap N Go Leo with Kayanna and Jonj
CREBILLY BOUNCES BACK TO FORM AT EXETER
FEBRUARY 11
Crebilly and Jonjo Jr. went from last to first to get back to winning ways at Exeter.
Racing in third, they pressed the leaders and kept on very well from the last to lead towards the finish and win by 1¼ lengths.
Many congratulations to owner JP McManus.
Racing in third, they pressed the leaders and kept on very well from the last to lead towards the finish and win by 1¼ lengths.
Many congratulations to owner JP McManus.
MAMMIES BOY BREAKS HIS DUCK AT TAUNTON
FEBRUARY 6
Mammies Boy put in a smooth performance to finally get his head in front at Taunton under a composed ride by James Smith.
In midfield for the majority of the race, they made good headway and pressed the leaders before 2 out. He soon led and kept on well after the last to win by just under 3 lengths.
We are absolutely delighted for Bridget, Terry, Cindy, Chris, Ian and Michelle of the What’s The Craic Syndicate.
In midfield for the majority of the race, they made good headway and pressed the leaders before 2 out. He soon led and kept on well after the last to win by just under 3 lengths.
We are absolutely delighted for Bridget, Terry, Cindy, Chris, Ian and Michelle of the What’s The Craic Syndicate.
Mammies Boy with James and Cain at Taunton.
Photograph courtesy of Pinnacle Photo Agency
Photograph courtesy of Pinnacle Photo Agency
SAINT DAVY WINS AT SANDOWN
FEBRUARY 3
Saint Davy put in a sound round of jumping to win the £100,000 Handicap Hurdle at Sandown in the hands of Jonjo Jr.
Always prominent running on the inner, the pair led narrowly approaching the last hurdle and stayed on well for victory.
We are all absolutely thrilled for own Mrs Gay Smith!
Always prominent running on the inner, the pair led narrowly approaching the last hurdle and stayed on well for victory.
We are all absolutely thrilled for own Mrs Gay Smith!
Saint Davy with James, Paul, Gabby and Jonj after winning here at Sandown
OUR POTENTIAL CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL TEAM
We will probably be taking seven or eight runners to the Festival this year and are hopeful all will run to their races and hopefully be somewhere near the front!
We're still a week out so it's quite difficult to give the exact races that we will target.
Crebilly
We will aim for the plate with him on Thursday, He has a nice profile going into Cheltenham and his run at Exeter last month was a lovely confidence booster. He also has some experience around the course which will no doubt help.
Anyharminasking
He ran a nice race at Kelso last weekend and he's in three races at Cheltenham; the Coral Cup, County Hurdle and Martin Pipe. As with most of our entries, we will decide a little nearer the time.
Petit Tonnerre
He is entered in a few races and we will aim for the County with him on Friday. He has been highly tried this season and that experience should stand to him well for this competitive heat.
Springwell Bay
Springwell Bay has two options; the Pertemps and Coral Cup. He won nicely at the November Meeting which is good course form. He was unlucky at Musselburgh and we're happy to have the option of both for him.
Bill Joyce
He was very impressive in his first two starts and appreciates the soft ground and if the ground comes up similar we would seriously look at going here. The Champion Bumper will be the race for him.
Beachcomber
Unlikely to get in but if so Beachcomber has a lovely low weight for the Pertemps Final. He won a competitive Huntingdon renewal to qualify for the final and he could be still relatively unexposed if the ground is decent and he gets in.
Judicial Law
He ran well in the Pertemps qualifier at Cheltenham back in October and has been ultra consistent this season with a nice winter break in between. He is also a horse that prefers decent ground so will a few more dry days, it could suit him nicely.
Johnnywho
He will to to the Albert Bartlett over 3m on the Friday with him. He has got good form in the book and the step up in trip will play to his strength in what looks an ultra competitive Albert Bartlett.
EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH
Many congratulations to Ben Macey who has been awarded our Employee Of The Month for February.
As you would have read above, Ben rode is first ever winner aboard Copper Cove at Fontwell. There were lovely scenes after the race with Ben's parents and he did a brilliant interview with Racing TV.
Ben works incredibly hard around the yard and driving horses to races and deserves all the opportunities and success he's getting.
Well done Ben!
"It's a feeling no words can describe!"
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) February 14, 2024
Congratulations to Benjamin Macey who gains a much deserved first victory this afternoon for the @JonjoONeill team at @FontwellPark □ pic.twitter.com/gnlbvR1chD
HORSES FOR SALE
LET ME GO BOYS (IRE)
A strong and precocious type who was unlucky not to win one of the strongest 4yo Maidens run in Ireland thus far this year, when a fast-finishing second to Korkoran who fetched £240,000 at the same sale.
Let Me Go Boys was hampered by a faller early on in the race and furthermore had to switch right around the field in the home straight in order to get a clear run. Despite meeting the last fence on a bad stride, he continued to stay on strongly, only coming up a Head short at the line and galloping out strongest after the finish.
Let Me Go Boys looks the type to be ready for a run in a smart Bumper this Spring before making up into an exciting novice hurdler for next season. He comes from the family of Jonjo’s Grade-1 Challow Hurdle winner Backspin and it is hoped that Let Me Go Boys can folllow in Backspin’s hoofprints.
£95,000 (+ VAT)
Let Me Go Boys was hampered by a faller early on in the race and furthermore had to switch right around the field in the home straight in order to get a clear run. Despite meeting the last fence on a bad stride, he continued to stay on strongly, only coming up a Head short at the line and galloping out strongest after the finish.
Let Me Go Boys looks the type to be ready for a run in a smart Bumper this Spring before making up into an exciting novice hurdler for next season. He comes from the family of Jonjo’s Grade-1 Challow Hurdle winner Backspin and it is hoped that Let Me Go Boys can folllow in Backspin’s hoofprints.
£95,000 (+ VAT)
TATTERSALLS CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL SALE
The Tattersalls Cheltenham Festival sale takes place in the Winner's Enclosure after racing on Thursday 14th March.
Jonjo, Jonjo, AJ and our bloodstock agent Matt Coleman have been studying the lots and will be picking out some very exciting prospects.
Sale Info:
Catalogue Online: 11th March 2024
Sale Timings: 6:15pm
If you are interested in purchasing or joining us at the sale, please email [email protected].
IMAGE COURTESY OF TATTERSALLS
UPCOMING BIRTHDAYS
Happy birthday to...
Jacqui O'Neill
26th March
Cain Rees
11th March
Paul Ferns
28th March
Anniversaries
Verity Peers
2 years on March 14th
Jacqui O'Neill
26th March
Cain Rees
11th March
Paul Ferns
28th March
Anniversaries
Verity Peers
2 years on March 14th
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