JONJO O'NEILL RACING
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NEWSLETTER
SEPTEMBER 2020
THE NEW SEASON IS NEARLY UPON US!
When we last spoke to you the sun was shining and we were all complaining that it was too hot. What a difference a month makes!
With that said, it is really starting to feel like Autumn and the Jump Season opener at Chepstow is only a month away.
We enjoyed 7 winners throughout August and 1 yesterday, taking our season's tally to 14 and prize money to over £70,000. I am very happy with how all the horses are running and our strike rate is still 25% which is very pleasing.
It has been lovely to welcome some of our owners back to Jackdaws Castle. It's been an incredibly tough few months so it's nice to get back to some kind of normality. The sport would be nothing without its owners and it's great to be able to entertain them again at a safe distance of course!
Here's hoping to see you all at the races before too long.
Stay safe and best wishes,
WINNERS
We enjoyed 7 winners throughout August and 1 so far in September. Huge congratulations to all connections.
HIS DREAM WINS AT PERTH
MONDAY 7th SEPTEMBER
His Dream made an impressive winning debut over fences with an 8-length victory at Perth in the colours of the Jackdaws Racing syndicate, under a good ride by Jonjo O'Neill Jr.
A huge congratulations to all the syndicate members.
His Dream made an impressive winning debut over fences with an 8-length victory at Perth in the colours of the Jackdaws Racing syndicate, under a good ride by Jonjo O'Neill Jr.
A huge congratulations to all the syndicate members.
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WRITE IT DOWN WINS AT PERTH
SUNDAY 30th AUGUST
In a pulsating finish with Champion Jockey Brian Hughes, Jonjo O'Neill Jr. produced a great ride to get his nose in front aboard Write It Down to narrowly win by 1¼ lengths in the colours of JP McManus.
In a pulsating finish with Champion Jockey Brian Hughes, Jonjo O'Neill Jr. produced a great ride to get his nose in front aboard Write It Down to narrowly win by 1¼ lengths in the colours of JP McManus.
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JOLY MAKER WINS AT BANGOR
TUESDAY 25th AUGUST
Jonjo O'Neill Jr. and Joly Maker put in a fine display to win by 2¼ lengths at Bangor in the green and gold hoops of JP McManus.
Jonjo O'Neill Jr. and Joly Maker put in a fine display to win by 2¼ lengths at Bangor in the green and gold hoops of JP McManus.
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IMAGES VIA BANGOR RACECOURSE
The money came and it was right! Joly Maker travels sweetly and picks up best to win for @JJONeillJnr and @JonjoONeill at @BangorRaces... pic.twitter.com/ns1PKVzDqz
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) August 25, 2020
LOCK'S CORNER WINS AT SOUTHWELL
-/MONDAY 24th AUGUST
Lock's Corner carried on his winning form from last year with an impressive 8½ length victory in the hands of Richie McLernon at Southwell for JP McManus.
This victory was in the middle of a brilliant hot winning streak for Richie with 5 winners in 4 days!
Lock's Corner carried on his winning form from last year with an impressive 8½ length victory in the hands of Richie McLernon at Southwell for JP McManus.
This victory was in the middle of a brilliant hot winning streak for Richie with 5 winners in 4 days!
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Lock’s Corner and @richiemclernon winning at @Southwell_Races this afternoon. pic.twitter.com/Wz8Rjr66xu
— Jonjo O'Neill (@JonjoONeill) August 24, 2020
TRANSPENNINE STAR WINS AT STRATFORD
WEDNESDAY 19th AUGUST
Transpennine Star brought our winners this season into double figures with an incredible 56 lengths victory under Jonjo Jr. at Stratford for owners John Cockcroft and William Lamb of the Transpennine Partnership
Transpennine Star brought our winners this season into double figures with an incredible 56 lengths victory under Jonjo Jr. at Stratford for owners John Cockcroft and William Lamb of the Transpennine Partnership
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ANYWAYYOULOOKATIT AND PRESENT CHIEF WIN AT UTTOXETER
SATURDAY 8TH AUGUST
Jonjo Jr produced a quality ride aboard Anywayyoulookatit in the colours of JP McManus to win by half a length and followed it up with an equally impressive ride on Present Chief to land a more comfortable victory for Pat and Nan Hickey.
The two took our strike rate to 50% from our last 10 runners!
Jonjo Jr produced a quality ride aboard Anywayyoulookatit in the colours of JP McManus to win by half a length and followed it up with an equally impressive ride on Present Chief to land a more comfortable victory for Pat and Nan Hickey.
The two took our strike rate to 50% from our last 10 runners!
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IMAGE VIA NIGEL KIRBY
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IMAGE VIA NIGEL KIRBY
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SKYLANNA BREEZE WINS AT SOUTHWELL
TUESDAY 4TH AUGUST
Skylanna Breeze finished impressively to bring up our 6th winner of the season at Southwell in the hands of Jonjo O'Neill Jr.
Huge congratulations to The Three Cabelleros partnership - Tony Brookes, Alan Nolan and Ian Fray, pictured below celebrating the win with Jonjo.
Skylanna Breeze finished impressively to bring up our 6th winner of the season at Southwell in the hands of Jonjo O'Neill Jr.
Huge congratulations to The Three Cabelleros partnership - Tony Brookes, Alan Nolan and Ian Fray, pictured below celebrating the win with Jonjo.
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INTRODUCING KEVIN & PHILIP
We are delighted to welcome two new Conditional Jockeys to Jackdaws Castle, Kevin Brogan and Philip Armson.
Here's a little bit about them both.
KEVIN BROGAN
"I recently just enrolled in my new job here at Jackdaws Castle for Jonjo O’Neill and I’m loving every bit of it.
I first starting riding in my uncle's yard when I was about 11 and instantly got the “bug” so to speak. Not too long after I heard about the racing schooling at the Curragh in Kildare, (RACE) and ever since I had my heart set at attending the Trainee Jockey course. Until then I patently waited to come of age to attend the trail week. That summer I had a few weeks work experience with my local trainer Ted Walsh, I probably learned more in those few weeks than ever before and it was a great kick start to get me ready and what to expect heading into R.A.C.E.
I managed to successfully secure a spot for the 2016/2017 trainee jockey course. It was a great experience and something that I will never forget. If I could go back and do it all again I would do it in a heartbeat. During the course, I was sent out to Robbie McNamara’s on the Curragh and gained lots more experience there and learned plenty, I’m very thankful to Robbie for letting me take out my amateur licence with him shortly after I graduated from R.A.C.E.
In February 2018 I made the move to the well known trainer Gordon Elliott. In that time I managed to get just over 60 rides for Gordon and rode 3 winners for him which I’m hugely grateful for. I gained so much experience within my 2 and a half years working with Gordon.
Before I came here to Jonjo O’Neill’s I managed to rack up just over 100 rides and 4 winners between Ireland and England. I’m very much looking forward to spending the foreseeable future here at Jackdaw Castle."
Photos courtesy of Healy Racing and Patrick McCann/Racing Post
PHILIP ARMSON
"I've worked with racehorses my whole life as my dad was a jockey who trained his own. However, before I could race, my dad had me working hunters and showing at a very high level, competing at Horse of the Year Show and the Royal International where I also won.
Aged 9, I started to pony race and continued this until I was 14 years old.
I then went into rugby and was selected to play for the county but unfortunately by the time I was selected I had made the decision to pursue my racing career.
In my second season of riding in point to points, I became leading novice jockey in the midlands and was runner up for the men's title only beaten by 3pts. I have ridden over 15 Point to Point winners to date.
I'm delighted to be here at Jackdaws Castle"
A VISIT FROM THE DENTIST
We had a visit from our Equine Dental Technicians Christy O’Connor and Gabriel Hannon recently and asked Christy to tell us a little bit more of who they are, what they do and show you a little video of them in action that you can find below.
"Both Gabriel and myself have worked in racing from a young age having come through RACE .. Racing Apprentice Centre of Education back home in Ireland and then switched to our present job about 12/13 years ago now
We normally visit Jackdaws on a six month cycle and check all of the horses on site.
It’s normally just for Routine floating which would take approximately 20-30 minutes per horse or for some of the younger ones who may have deciduous teeth (baby teeth) that will need removing.
Horses teeth lay down excess enamel during their life so we will remove this (with caution) using various floats/rasps.
If we didn’t do this their mouth would become unbalanced and their cheeks would become ulcerated.
Theses factors would have a huge affect on their well being, how they ride and their digestive system which is why it is so important for them to have these regular checks."
In the below video, Christy talks us through what he does and the techniques he uses.
RACEHORSES FOR SALE
There are always many ways of getting involved in racehorse ownership here at Jonjo O'Neill Racing.
Please get in touch to see what we currently have for sale.
Jonjo and his team will be attending the Goffs September HIT Sale on September 15th. You can view the sale HERE
For enquiries, please email Jonjo at racingoffice@jonjooneillracing.com or call 07767 480444
Please get in touch to see what we currently have for sale.
Jonjo and his team will be attending the Goffs September HIT Sale on September 15th. You can view the sale HERE
For enquiries, please email Jonjo at racingoffice@jonjooneillracing.com or call 07767 480444
EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH
Congratulations to Callum Douglas who has won the Employee of the Month for August.
Callum only joined us in April and seems to be a lucky charm at the races, leading up several winners already!
How did you get into racing?
I have always had a passion for racing, when I was younger I had very fond memories of watching the Grand National with my Grandad and the rest of the family, and I never really knew that a career in racing was possible. I then found out about the National Racing College (NHC) and from that point I have never really looked back. I completed a 12 week course up in Doncaster and was lucky to get a placement down here at Jackdaws Castle.
How long have you been at Jonjo O'Neill Racing?
I started at Jonjo O’Neill Racing on March 2nd this year after graduating from the college. I am currently progressing through my level 2 qualification during my time here.
What is your favourite part of the job?
This a tough question for me to answer really as there are so many aspects to the job that I enjoy. If I had to put my finger on one specific part, it would be riding the horses at the yard and seeing them progress throughout the season. For example, riding Locks Corner, it's been great to see him compete and win in the manner he did last time out.
What is you best moment in racing so far?
In my short time during my racing career I have had many enjoyable moments, not just for myself but also my family. I would have to say leading up Present Chief for Mr Pat Hickey at Uttoxeter, it was my first time at the races and was a special moment. To come back to Jackdaws that day with 2 winners in the lorry was the icing on the cake.
What do you hope to achieve?
Personally, I believe it is important for everyone to have a dream. For me it would be able to ride in a race. Even though I have only been riding for a short amount of time, I hope that I am progressing each day and learning from the great staff and jockeys here an Jackdaws. Furthermore, I hope one day I gain the knowledge to be able to pass on to the next generation of racing enthusiasts to keep the great sport going from strength to strength.
Callum collecting his award from Jonjo
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Callum with Richie out on the gallops
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BEHIND THE SCENES STABLE TOURS
We are delighted to be offering our wonderful VIP Behind The Scenes Stable Tours once again.
Numbers on each tour are limited to ensure all guests receive the personal attention that will make their visit very special and a truly VIP experience, as well as keeping everyone safe during this time.
For more information or to book, please email pa@jonjooneillracing.com quoting VIP Stable Tours or click HERE to visit our Stable Tours page.
SEPTEMBER NATIONAL HUNT FIXTURES
Here is a guide to all the National Hunt Jump Racing fixtures in September.
Wednesday 2nd September
Uttoxeter
Hexham
Thursday 3rd September
Southwell
Friday 4th September
Sedgefield
Saturday 5th September
Stratford
Sunday 6th September
Fontwell
Monday 7th September
Perth
Tuesday 8th September
Newton Abbot
Wednesday 9th September
Uttoxeter
Saturday 12th September
Fontwell
Tuesday 15th September
Southwell
Wednesday 16th September
Kelso
Saturday 19th September
Newton Abbot
Sunday 20th September
Plumpton
Monday 21st September
Warwick
Tuesday 22nd September
Warwick
Wednesday 23rd September
Perth
Thursday 24th September
Perth
Friday 25th September
Uttoxeter
Saturday 26th September
Market Rasen
Monday 28th September
Newton Abbot
Tuesday 29th September
Bangor-on-Dee
Sedgefield
Wednesday 30th September
Bangor-on-Dee
Huntingdon
BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES
A huge September Happy Birthday to...
Jade Aspell
5th September
Matty Gill
11th September
Happy work anniversary to...
Jojo O'Neill
8 years at Jonjo O'Neill Racing on September 7th
Jon Dina
5 years at Jonjo O'Neill Racing on September 18th
VISIT THE LYGON ARMS DURING A VISIT TO JACKDAWS
It's great to see the wonderful Lygon Arms back thriving once again.
Why not come and see your horse, or what horses we have for sale here at Jackdaws Castle, and coincide it with an incredible stay at this stunning hotel while taking advantage of our great offer below?
Receive 20% off your stay when you book your Bed & Breakfast stay on a Sunday – Thursday at The Lygon Arms 31st July – 23rd December. The offer is subject to availability and not valid in conjunction with any other offer or promotion.
To book your room or to find out more please, contact Erika Steward at The Lygon Arms on 01386 852255 or email esteward@lygonarmshotel.co.uk.
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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
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWS
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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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