JONJO O'NEILL RACING
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MAY 2023
It's always a funny time of year. The seasons are changing, both weather-wise and in the horse racing world and lots of our winter horses are off enjoying their summer holidays, either in the fields here at Jackdaws Castle or back home with their owners.
It’s also holiday time for some of our brilliant staff. We are very lucky that they arrange their time off around each other, and get a well-deserved break while it’s a bit quieter in the yard.
Last season couldn’t have finished any better for us, with Crebilly clinching the last possible win in the season finale at Sandown. The next season, bizarrely, started just two days later, paused for a week, and then started again! After that great ending with Crebilly, the new season has begun with some very pleasing performances from our horses, scoring five wins and seven placings from sixteen runners. I haven’t done the maths, but they tell me that’s a 32% strike rate and pretty impressive!
The Summer might be quiet in some ways, but it’s busy in others, as horses move on and make space for new ones to move in. We have several really interesting sales coming up, with the Tattersall’s Cheltenham May Sale taking place this Friday and two up at Doncaster next week, including the Goffs Spring Horse In Training/Point-to-Point sale where Constitution Hill was purchased!
If you would like to get involved in ownership or would like any further information on how to get involved, please don't hesitate to get in touch with us on [email protected].
Thank you to you all for your continued support, fingers crossed it warms up a bit soon!
Stay healthy and best wishes,
Jonjo
RECENT WINNERS
Crebilly finishes the season in style
APRIL 29
Crebilly and Jonjo Jr. put in a fine display to win the final race of the season at Sandown.
Many congratulations to owner JP McManus and well done to all of the team for all of their efforts throughout the season.
Many congratulations to owner JP McManus and well done to all of the team for all of their efforts throughout the season.
Crebilly with Ben, Jonjo, Jonjo Jr, Georgia and Sir AP McCoy
Judicial Law gets us off the mark at Worcester
MAY 8
Judicial Law stayed on brilliantly to open our account for the 2023/24 season under a superb ride by Jonjo Jr.
Sitting in midfield, they went third before 3 out and kept on really well before taking the lead in the final 110yds and pulling away to win.
Many congratulations to owner Mrs Gay Smith,
Sitting in midfield, they went third before 3 out and kept on really well before taking the lead in the final 110yds and pulling away to win.
Many congratulations to owner Mrs Gay Smith,
Judicial Law and Fred
Gwennie May Boy wins at Ludlow
MAY 9
Gwennie May Boy returned to the winners enclosure in great style, making all the running in the hands of AJ O'Neill.
It was wonderful to win a race named in memory of the late Lorna Brooke.
We are thrilled for owner Gwendoline Clarke and all her family!
It was wonderful to win a race named in memory of the late Lorna Brooke.
We are thrilled for owner Gwendoline Clarke and all her family!
AJ with Chris and Nick Clarke
A Saturday double!
MAY 13
We enjoyed a super Saturday with All The Glory and Solidierofthestorm winning at Hexham and Warwick respectively.
After being placed in five of her previous nine runs, it was wonderful to see All The Glory finally get her head in front in the hands of Richie McLernon.
We are delighted for owner Will Kinsey.
This was followed by Soldierofthestorm and Jonjo Jnr. notching up a very satisfying win at Warwick. It was a truly family affair with “Soldier” being homebred by Anne Bond and owned by her son, Tom. We are absolutely thrilled for them.
Well done to all of the team!
After being placed in five of her previous nine runs, it was wonderful to see All The Glory finally get her head in front in the hands of Richie McLernon.
We are delighted for owner Will Kinsey.
This was followed by Soldierofthestorm and Jonjo Jnr. notching up a very satisfying win at Warwick. It was a truly family affair with “Soldier” being homebred by Anne Bond and owned by her son, Tom. We are absolutely thrilled for them.
Well done to all of the team!
All The Glory with Richie, Ben and Will Kinsey
Soldierofthestorm with Anne, Tom, Doc and Jonjo Jr.
Blue Shark makes it 6 wins from his last 7 starts at Southwell
MAY 15
Blue Shark returned to the winners enclosure with victory at Southwell under a fantastic Jonjo Jr. ride.
The win is Blue Shark's sixth from his last seven starts, continuing his incredible run of form.
We are absolutely delighted once again for Ros, Zakia, Sam, Paul, Sue and Tony of The Ocean Partnership.
The win is Blue Shark's sixth from his last seven starts, continuing his incredible run of form.
We are absolutely delighted once again for Ros, Zakia, Sam, Paul, Sue and Tony of The Ocean Partnership.
Blue Shark with Tony and Sue, Jonjo Jr. and Tirana
UPCOMING SALES
CHELTENHAM MAY SALE 2023
19TH MAY
Jonjo and the team will be heading to the Cheltenham May Sale on Friday 19th May.
The Cheltenham May Sale will offer a select group of winning and placed point to pointers and NH form horses in the sale ring on Cheltenham racecourse.
GOFFS SPRING STORE SALE
22 - 23 MAY
A smart line-up of stores has been catalogued for the two-day 2023 Goffs UK Spring Store Sale which will open the Doncaster Spring Sales on 22 – 23 May.
The 2023 catalogue will offer 285 stores and all horses will be eligible for the £100,000 Spring Sale Bumper, the richest bumper in the world, which will be held at Newbury in March 2024. On the track, the sale’s graduates have been led this year by the talented mare You Wear It Well whose five career wins include the Grade 2 Jane Seymour Mares' Novices' Hurdle and the Grade 2 Mares' Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
The 2023 catalogue will offer 285 stores and all horses will be eligible for the £100,000 Spring Sale Bumper, the richest bumper in the world, which will be held at Newbury in March 2024. On the track, the sale’s graduates have been led this year by the talented mare You Wear It Well whose five career wins include the Grade 2 Jane Seymour Mares' Novices' Hurdle and the Grade 2 Mares' Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
GOFFS SPRING HIT/PTP SALE 2023
24 - 25 MAY
The Doncaster Spring HIT/PTP Sale will follow the two-day Spring Store Sale and has had a blue-ribbon year with its graduates headlined by two Grade 1 winners in GOOD LAND and the champion CONSTITUTION HILL. Now unbeaten in seven starts, Constitution Hill shapes as arguably the finest horse to have ever come from the Spring Sale since its inception in 1962 and is a timely reminder as to the quality of horse that can be found at Doncaster.
The opening day on Wednesday will be dedicated to point-to-pointers and young form horses and has already attracted over 200 entries with all the leading point-to-point handlers represented.
The opening day on Wednesday will be dedicated to point-to-pointers and young form horses and has already attracted over 200 entries with all the leading point-to-point handlers represented.
If you are interested in getting involved or perhaps joining us at any of the sales, please contact us on [email protected]
HORSES ON THEIR HOLIDAYS
The fields are full of lots of our horses enjoying a break for the summer.
The horses will usually be out for 6-8 weeks before returning to training which will begin with walking and trotting, before stepping up onto the round sand gallop to start rebuilding their strength.
It's always wonderful to see them enjoying themselves in the fields!
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EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH
Many congratulations to Georgia Plumb on being awarded our latest Employee of the Month.
Georgia is one of our Head Lads/Lasses and has demonstrated fantastic team spirit by very kindly stepping in to drive horses to the races, making it possible for our regular travelling staff to take some time out. Many thanks to Georgia for being so flexible and willing to go above and beyond when needed.
We have asked her a few questions so you can get to know her.
What is you favourite thing about working at Jonjo O'Neill Racing?
For me, seeing the younger horses develop and progress is the most rewarding part of the job.
How long have you worked at Jonjo O'Neill Racing
It will be 5 years in August!
What is you best moment in racing so far?
Soaring Glory winning the Betfair Hurdle in 2021 was an amazing day. The day Tom Scudamore won on him in a listed race at Ascot is a close second!
What do you enjoy doing away from racing?
I really enjoy going home to spend some time with my family and friends.
MIDLANDS AIR AMBULANCE EVENING AT CHELTENHAM
Aaron, Alison and Jade joined the amazing Midlands Air Abulance at the Hunter Chase evening meeting at Cheltenham earlier this month.
Alison spoke about her time as a racecourse doctor and Aaron managed to tip three winners!
We are always too happy to support this amazing charity however we can!
Waheed Saleem (Trustee), Jade, Alison, Aaron and Emma Fray (COO)
Photograph: Nigel Wood
Photograph: Nigel Wood
RIDING A WINNER FOR YOUR BEST FRIEND!
It's always special to ride winners for our amazing owners, but Jonjo Jr. had the pleasure of riding one for his best friend of 20 years, Tom Bond, when Soldierofthestorm won at Warwick last week.
The pair first met in Year One at Cheltenham College and have been best friends ever since!
Jonjo Jr. (front, second from the left) and Tom (front right) representing the Newick House rugby team at Cheltenham College
Tom and Jonj with Anne and Doc after Soldierofthestorms' victory at Warwick
UPCOMING BIRTHDAYS
A huge happy birthday to
Isabelle Nowicki
18th May
Kevin Brogan
18th May
Chloe Cullen
7th June
Florin Mirea (Fred)
13th June
Alan Berry
25th June
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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 [email protected].
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 [email protected].
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