THE START OF A NEW DAWN!
As you will hopefully have heard, AJ has joined me on the training licence for this season. We remain very ambitious here at Jackdaws Castle and I’m thrilled to be sharing the licence with him.
AJ’s work ethic, dedication and passion for our industry is why we are here today as joint license holders.
A natural in the saddle from an early age, AJ won the Pony Racing Final Championship at Aintree in 2015, going on to represent Great Britain. AJ has ridden as an amateur both on the Flat and Jumps under rules and it was great to see him winning on Beachcomber last season in the Pertemps Qualifier at Huntingdon. AJ’s season ended with a 33% strike rate.
Having completed his A Levels. AJ decided to embark on a Business Management degree (over two years) which was conducted remotely with one day a week in London, whilst at the same time completing his apprenticeship at Jonjo O’Neill Racing. He graduated with a 2:1. During this time he also worked for other trainers to gain further experience.
He returned to Jackdaws Castle, keen to become more involved in helping to manage the yard here at Jackdaws Castle. Worthy of the position, I made him my Assistant Trainer. He applied to the British Racing School & Northern Racing School to take his Training modules and had completed them 12 months later.
AJ will bring much to this partnership, including new energy and new ideas. I know he is keen to have more runners on the Flat, which is really exciting, as well as broadening the appeal of O’Neill Racing.
I wish to thank you all for your continued support of us in this new venture, we have received many wonderful messages, and it means a lot to myself, my family and all the team at Jackdaws Castle.
Best wishes,
Jonjo
Hello everyone! This is my first newsletter so please bear with me!
Firstly, I would like to echo what dad mentioned. The support we receive is second to none and the whole team really appreciate it.
I'm delighted to be joining the licence. It's a very exciting time and we have lots of lovely horses -I can't wait to get properly stuck in. I'm learning from the best so fingers crossed for lots of success together!
The horses are enjoying some sun on their backs and are all running really nicely.
It was brilliant to get off the mark on the opening day of the new season with Wilful winning well at Hexham, which was followed up with both Trapista, Stay If U Want To and Mammies Boy, all equally, winning really nicely. Hopefully they're the first of many!
I enjoy riding as an amateur for the yard but training a winner gives me a different sort of buzz. I love the whole process, all the way through from the sales to the racecourse and the thrill it brings to the team and all of our owners.
We continue to invest heavily to maintain our state-of-the-art facilities and are very proud of the way we look after our horses.
On that note, I would like to say a huge thank you to our team here who work tirelessly ensuring the welfare of the animals at home and the racecourse is always the top priority. It can be a challenging role at times and they are all a real credit to O’Neill Racing.
Once again, thank you for the amazing support that we receive,
Best wishes
AJ
THE STORY IN THE RACING POST
RECENT WINNERS
MAMMIES BOY VICTORIOUS AT HUNTINGDON
MAY 9
Mammies Boy recorded his second win in three starts in the Huntingdon sunshine, winning by four lengths under a good ride by Jonjo Jr.
We are thrilled for Bridget, Chris, Ian and Terry of the What’s The Craic Syndicate!
We are thrilled for Bridget, Chris, Ian and Terry of the What’s The Craic Syndicate!
Mammies Boy with John, Jonj, Liah and Chris at Huntingdon
STAY IF U WANT TO WINS AT HEREFORD
MAY 7
We are absolutely thrilled for our wonderful friend, owner and breeder of the horse, Anne Bond. Anne’s daughter Lucinda was in attendance for the win, and it was Lucinda who chose the name. Anne also bred her son’s runner Soldier of The Storm who came 3rd at Hereford in the race afterwards for us. Quite the family affair!
Stay If U Want To on his way to victory
Image: Nigel Kirby
Image: Nigel Kirby
TRAPISTA GETS UP TO WIN AT WARWICK
MAY 6
Richie timed his ride absolutely perfectly aboard Trapista to get up in the final strides and win by a neck at Warwick.
Many congratulations to owner JP McManus.
Many congratulations to owner JP McManus.
Trapista with Meg before the race at Warwick
Image: Diane Volpe
Image: Diane Volpe
WILFUL BRINGS UP THE FIRST WINNER OF THE NEW PARTNERSHIP
MAY 4
Wilful became our first winner under the new Jonjo & AJ partnership in great style at Hexham in the hands of Jonjo Jr.
Huge congratulations to Jim and Fitri Hay and thank you for giving us our first winner on the joint licence!
Huge congratulations to Jim and Fitri Hay and thank you for giving us our first winner on the joint licence!
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Wilful and Lauren Hay with his prize from Hexham
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CAWTHORNE BANKER IS THE LAST WINNER OF THE SEASON
APRIL 22
Cawthorne Banker got his nose in front for the first time at Kempton with Jonjo Jr aboard.
Without knowing at the time, this was our last winner of the season and for Jonjo on his sole training licence!
We are delighted for owner Eric Brook.
Without knowing at the time, this was our last winner of the season and for Jonjo on his sole training licence!
We are delighted for owner Eric Brook.
Cawthorne Banker with Jonjo, Kayanna and Jonj.
HIGHLANDS LEGACY CANTERS TO VICTORY AT SOUTHWELL
APRIL 4
Highlands Legacy won in confident style at Southwell in the hands of Jonjo Jr.
In midfield, they led towards 3 out and went clear before the second last, before popping the last nicely and winning at a canter.
Many congratulations to owner The Hon Elizabeth Wills!
In midfield, they led towards 3 out and went clear before the second last, before popping the last nicely and winning at a canter.
Many congratulations to owner The Hon Elizabeth Wills!
Cain leading Highlands Legacy and Jonj into the winner's enclosure
OUR WONDERFUL SPONSORS
The Wasdell Group has had a happy sponsorship partnership with Jonjo O’Neill Racing for a number of years and is delighted to continue and build on that relationship as it morphs into O’Neill Racing. The Group wishes every success as AJ joins his father in holding the licence.
Wasdell is a leading force in the pharmaceutical, nutritional and healthcare packaging sectors. Based in Swindon, but with several facilities elsewhere, the Group has grown steadily in the decade or so since Martin Tedham bought the business.
Martin, wife Iwona and daughters Annabelle and Delilah are frequent and enthusiastic visitors to Jackdaws Castle to see the horses owned by Wasdell Properties and to enjoy the peerless owner experience offered by the O’Neill family.
The combination of Jonjo’s vast experience of riding and training with AJ’s youth and innovatory ideas, the riding expertise of Jonjo Junior, superb hospitality from Jacqui and a magnificent staff bodes well for future success.
Wasdell and the Tedhams wish the new licensees all the very best and are delighted to play their part.
EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH
Many congratulations to Lucy Westlake for being being awarded the Employee of the Month for April.
A key member of the team here at Jackdaws Castle, she looked after all of our runners in Punchestown last month.
Lucy is also a soldier in the Lifeguards, the Household Cavalry, and rode Front View to a brilliant fourth on Grand Military Gold Cup Day at Sandown in January, in JP Mcmanus' green and gold silks.
Lucy wins a dinner, bed & breakfast two night stay at any of the Jupiter Hotel portfolio of Mecure Hotels.
A huge thank you to Chris Ford and Accor for their generous sponsorship of our Employee of the Month which gives members of our team a wonderful experience.
You can watch Lucy in action at Sandown by clicking on the button below.
A HUGE THANK YOU TO OUR TEAM!
As we always say, nothing we do here at Jackdaws Castle is possible without our incredible team.
They battle all the elements with a smile and work so hard to ensure that everything runs smoothly both here at the yard and on the racecourse.
Thank you to each and every one of you for your efforts!
UPCOMING SALES
CHELTENHAM MAY SALE - 16th MAY
The Cheltenham May Sale will offer a select group of winning and placed point to pointers and horses in training in the sale ring on Cheltenham racecourse.
To view the sale, please click the button below.
DONCASTER SPRING STORE SALE - 21st MAY
The sale’s evolution continues with a greater focus on quality and the return to a single, select and top-class day of 273 stores.
To view the sale, please click the button below.
DONCASTER SPING HIT/PTP - 22nd - 23rd MAY
The world’s largest NH HIT/PTP sale. Day 1 will feature predominately pointers & day 2 horses-in-training.
To view the sale, please click the button below.
IRELAND BREEZE UP SALE - 23rd - 24th MAY
The Tattersalls Ireland Breeze Up Sale is Ireland’s only sale of this type, and provides purchasers with an early opportunity to buy a sharp two-year-old. This sale has proven itself as a source for stakes class performers, with graduates including Group 2 winner Layfayette, Royal Ascot winner Claymore, and the smart Ballymount Boy.
To view the sale, please click the button below.
ANNIE MC HAS A FOAL
We were absolutely delighted to see this week that Annie Mc has given birth to a beautiful chesnut colt by Doctor Dino.
She was an absolute superstar for us and all the Coral team and we sure she will make a brilliant mum. We can't wait to meet the little man!
Thank you to everyone at Carisbrooke Stud for all of their amazing work.
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)
UPCOMING BIRTHDAYS
Happy birthday to...
Florin Mirea (Fred)
13th June
Thomas Perry
28th June
Jack Wilmot
30th June
Florin Mirea (Fred)
13th June
Thomas Perry
28th June
Jack Wilmot
30th 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].
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