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
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!
WE’RE RED OR BLUE WINS ON DEBUT AT HEREFORD
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!
Bill Joyce makes it two in a row at Exeter
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!
DIAMOND DICE WINS AT LUDLOW
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!
IMPERIAL BEDE WINS ON CHASING DEBUT AT SOUTHWELL
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
REGAL BLUE WINS AT HAYDOCK
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!
A MIDWEEK DOUBLE
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!
CREBILLY BOUNCES BACK TO FORM AT EXETER
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.
MAMMIES BOY BREAKS HIS DUCK AT TAUNTON
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.
SAINT DAVY WINS AT SANDOWN
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!
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!
Upcoming Birthdays & Work Anniversaries
Happy birthday to…
Jacqui O’Neill
26th March
Cain Rees
11th March
Paul Ferns
28th March
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