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

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