November 2023
November is the month when it feels like the season really gets going and you find out a lot about the direction that many of the horses will take over the next few months.
It has been a fruitful month for us with some hugely pleasing victories.
It was brilliant to see Springwell Bay win so impressively at Cheltenham. It’s always a special place to have a winner and was wonderful to see Gay Smith’s colours back in the winner’s enclosure there. This kickstarted a run of seven wins in seven days with Hasthing, Rula Bula, Tap N Go Leo, Itso Fury, Stay If U Want To and Beachcomber all winning.
At the start of the month, Johnnywho and Mister Meggit both won in style up at Carlisle. This was followed up with Magic Seven victorious at Hereford, Inch House winning very nicely at Newbury.
Looking ahead, the Coral Gold Cup (formerly The Hennessy) at Newbury is always an exciting race. We have Monbeg Genius entered and hopefully he will run a big race. We took him and Iron Bridge for a racecourse gallop there last week which they both very much enjoyed.
In addition to the racing, Goffs have launched a new select sale of point-to-pointers at Newbury’s Coral Gold Cup meeting on Saturday 2 December. As always, if you would like to get involved or join us at the sale, please get in touch. You can read more about the sale below.
Here’s to a hugely successful December (and hopefully no snow!),
Stay healthy and best wishes,
Jonjo
Recent winners
MAGIC SEVEN VICTORIOUS AT HEREFORD AGAIN
Three is the magic number for Magic Seven as he brought up his third victory of his career under rules and his third at Hereford.
In touch with leaders, he went second at the 4th hurdle and soon led after the 6th. He went clear after 3 out and was pushed along after last to win nicely.
Huge congratulations to owner Christopher Johnston.
BEACHCOMBER WINS AT HUNTINGDON
Beachcomber and Richie made all the running to complete an impressive victory at Huntingdon.
Increasing the tempo before 3 out, he was pushed along before 2 out and staying on well run-in to win comfortably.
Huge congratulations to owner The Right Honourable Elizabeth Wills.
A THURSDAY DOUBLE
Our fruitful week continued with an across the card double.
Firstly, at Wincanton, James Smith enjoyed his first ever winner for us – and his first in the UK – after a composed ride aboard Itso Fury.
Many congratulations to owner Mrs Gay Smith.
This was followed up over at Market Rasen where Stay If U Want To stayed on gamely to win the bumper under a brilliant ride from Jonjo Jr.
We are delighted for the Bond family who homebred this lovely horse!
TAP N GO LEO MAKES A WINNING START AT HEREFORD
Tap N Go Leo made the perfect start to his career on the track with victory at Hereford under a cool ride from Kevin Brogan.
Always prominent, he rallied when ridden one furlong from the finish and kept on well to get up by ¾ of a length.
We are thrilled for Alan Nolan, Tony Brookes and Ian Fray from The Three Caballeros. Many congratulations!
RULA BULA IMPRESSES AT WARWICK
Rula Bula was impressive on her second racecourse start, winning the Mares’ Bumper at Warwick in the hands of Jonjo Jr.
In touch with leaders, she made good headway 3 furlongs from the home and was ridden to lead inside the final 110 yards staying on well for a comfortable victory.
We are so thrilled for Jeremy and Germaine Hitchins!
HASTHING WINS ON HURDLING DEBUT AT LEICESTER
After an impressive run in the Aintree bumper at the end of last season, it was great to see Hashthing win on his hurdling debut at Leicester in the hands of Jonjo Jr.
Many congratulations to owner JP McManus.
SPRINGWELL BAY SHINES AT CHELTENHAM
Springwell Bay defied top weight to win impressively at Cheltenham under a superb Jonjo Jr. ride.
Always going well and in touch with the leaders, it was just a matter of time of when Jonjo pressed the button and challenged for the lead.
In front at 2-out, they went clear up the hill to win by 1¼ lengths.
We are thrilled for owner Mrs Gay Smith!
INCH HOUSE WINS AT NEWBURY
Inch House travelled strongly to win well in the hands of Jonjo Jr. at Newbury.
They made a challenge just before 3 out and led when approaching the last, before pulling clear in the run-in.
Huge congratulations to Michael and Jania who were there to lead him into the winner’s enclosure.
MAGIC SEVEN WINS AT HEREFORD
Magic Seven jumped brilliantly to win on his hurdling debut at Hereford in the hands of Jonjo Jr.
Held up at the back of the field, they made steady progress, before leading after a fantastic jump at the second last. He was pushed along and went clear approaching last, winning comfortably by 9 lengths.
Many congratulations to owner Christopher Johnston.
A SUPER SUNDAY AT CARLISLE
Johnnywho and Mister Meggit bookended a successful day with two hugely impressive victories at Carlisle, both under superb Jonjo Jr. rides.
Johnnywho made a brilliant start to life over obstacles, always going nicely throughout. He pressed the leaders just after 2 out and although not completely fluent at the last, he was shaken up and went clear up the run-in.
Mister Meggit put in a lovely run on debut in the bumper. Always going easily, he disputed the lead 2 furlongs out. He soon quickened and went clear in the final furlong, winning very nicely.
Many congratulations to JP McManus and The Exors of The Late Trevor Hemmings respectively.
THE GOFFS CORAL GOLD CUP SALE
As Jonjo mentioned above, Goffs have announced a new select sale of point-to-pointers at Newbury Racecourse’s iconic Coral Gold Cup meeting on Saturday 2 December.
The Coral Gold Cup Sale by Goffs will be held after racing on Coral Gold Cup Day, an annual highlight on the Autumn NH racing calendar, which attracts a huge contingent of the leading owners and trainers every year. With an impressive portfolio of proven offsite sales, Goffs have launched and successfully held numerous vibrant PTP sales at a variety of locations including Aintree, Punchestown, Sandown, and Yorton as well as Newbury prior to its extensive redevelopment.
As always, if you are interested in joining the exciting world of racehorse ownership and would like to join us at the sales, please get in touch to speak with us further about the upcoming sale.
Contact joe.oneill@jonjooneillracing.com or call 01385 584209
You can find all the sale information and catalogue by clicking on the button below.
EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH
Many congratulations to James Smith for being awarded our Employee of the Month for November.
James recently joined us from Ireland to be our conditional jockey and rode his first winner for us aboard Itso Fury at Wincanton last week in the colours of Mrs Gay Smith. This was also his first winner in the UK.
Congratualtions James!
RACING POST STABLE TOUR
We were featured in the Racing Post’s Stable Tours earlier this month.
It gives readers a great insight on the horses we have here at Jackdaws Castle.
CHRISTMAS IS COMING!
We feel, now it’s November, that it’s fine to use the “C” word!
Our VIP Stable Tours make perfect gifts for any racing enthusiast.
You day starts with with a wonderful breakfast at The Lygon Arms just down the road in Broadway. Then you will join us to enjoy a full behind the scenes tour of Jackdaws Castle, where you will watch them work on one of our gallops, under the watchful eye of Jonjo and his team whilst taking in the stunning scenery of this magical setting.
The tour is priced at £250.00 plus vat, per person. To book please email pa@jonjooneillracing.com quoting VIP Stable Tours.
NEW SCHOOLING FENCES
We are very lucky to have a talented estate team who take care of the 500-acres here at Jackdaws Castle.
Recently, Doc and Florin have been making some brilliant new portable schooling fences.
After making the frame, it will packed as tightly as possible with birch before trimming the top to size. The last job will be painting the kick-board and putting them in place on the grass schooling ground
Upcoming Birthdays & Work Anniversaries
Happy birthday to…
Kayanna Pilgrim
5th December
Verity Peers
15 December
Finn O’Neill
20th December
Jojo O’Neill
24th December
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