October 2023
October is the month that everything moves up a gear. Races come thick and fast and the big meetings start to appear every weekend.
With all the rain softening ground, it’s been a great opportunity for us to run lots of the horses and give some of our youngsters valuable racecourse experience along the way.
Many of them ran very pleasingly with Yes Day, Wellington Arch, Mt Fug Park, Royal Rhythm and Mellificent all winning impressively.
Off the track, there is a real buzz of excitement heading into the new season.
It was lovely to welcome Luke Harvey and the ITV racing Opening Show team up here to Jackdaws Castle last weekend, to feature the yard on the show. It’s fantastic for people to see what goes on behind the scenes and it’s a real boost for our team ahead of a long season.
We had a wonderful evening at Frankie Dettori’s Celebration Dinner on October 21st. He’s a great man and a legend of flat racing in the UK and around the world, and he couldn’t have asked for a better send off with two winners on Champions’ Day at Ascot.
Here’s to a successful November!
Stay healthy and best wishes,
Jonjo
RECENT WINNERS
Wellington Arch impresses on debut at Worcester
Wellington Arch fought off a stiff challenge in the final furlong to win by a shoulder in the bumper at Worcester in the hands of Jonjo Jr.
We are absolutely thrilled for owners Mike and Mary Gaskell.
A dream start for Mt Fugi Park
Mt Fugi Park put in an impressive performance on his debut at Ffos Las in the hands of Jonjo Jr.
Always in touch with the leaders, they went second 3 out and began to mount a challenge 2 out. The disputed the lead at the last, before leading on the run-in and staying on well.
Huge congratulations to all the Tanzanite owners!
Royal Rhythm wins at Carlisle
Royal Rhythm made a winning start for us at Carlisle in the hands of Jonjo Jr.
Always prominent, he was pushed along to lead 2 out. After a slight scare at the last, he kept on well to win by 2 lengths.
Many congratulations to owner Martin Peyton!
Mellificent wins on hurdling debut
Mellificent made an impressive start to life over obstacles with victory at Carlisle in the hands of Jonjo Jr.
Always in touch with the leaders, they made their challenge 3 out and went into the lead soon after. Although not fluent at the last, they kept on well for victory.
Many congratulations to owner Semore Kurdi.
ITV RACING OPENING SHOW
As Jonjo mentioned above, it was fantastic to welcome ITV Racing to Jackdaws Castle last weekend for a feature on their Opening Show programme.
Jonjo showed Luke Harvey around the yard, before watching Monbeg Genius on the gallops and some of our youngsters schooling. They finished in the pool watching Prince Escalus swimming and interviewing Jonjo Jr. and AJ.
You can find all the videos from the morning that ITV posted on their social media below or watch the full show by clicking on the button.
“When it goes well it’s really thrilling but when it goes bad it’s very frustrating” @JonjoONeill
“A bit like working for ITV really!” @LeglockLuke 😂#ITVRacing | #TheOpeningShow pic.twitter.com/xYcjj7ZaBi
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) October 28, 2023
“When it goes well it’s really thrilling but when it goes bad it’s very frustrating” @JonjoONeill
“A bit like working for ITV really!” @LeglockLuke 😂#ITVRacing | #TheOpeningShow pic.twitter.com/xYcjj7ZaBi
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) October 28, 2023
OUR NEW GALLOP
We are proud and delighted to unveil our newly installed bespoke Martin Collins surface on our 6 furlong gallop.
This has been specifically designed to meet the training needs of our horses, and we believe it will prove a fabulous asset in ensuring their future development and success.
We are confident that our hard-working grounds team will use their expertise to keep it in fabulous condition, no matter what the weather throws at us this winter and for years to come.
EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH
Many congratulations to Susie Bradshaw on being awarded our Employee of the Month.
Susie joined us in February and quickly became an integral member of the team. Her experience in corporate hospitality from her time at Cheltenham Racecourse came to the fore when organising our annual Owners’ Day this year. With our guest numbers significantly increased and despite the best efforts of a thunderstorm, the day ran smoothly, all in part to Susie.
100 YEARS OF THE CHELTENHAM GOLD CUP EVENING
Jonjo was on a star-studded panel at The Nook in Cheltenham last week, alongside Kim Bailey, Tom Scudamore and host Mike Cattermole.
This was the opening event of a yearlong celebration marking the centenary anniversary of the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
It was a brilliant night and lots of money was raised for charity.
THANK YOU, FRANKIE
Jonjo and Jacqui enjoyed a wonderful evening at the Grovesnor Hotel in London to celebrate the great man, Frankie Dettori, as he hangs up his saddle in the UK.
Ronan Keating provided some of the entertainment and great fun was had by all.
A wonderful night here at the @FrankieDettori celebration dinner.@ronanofficial pic.twitter.com/yngdz9sd4w
— O’Neill Racing (@_oneillracing) October 21, 2023
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 NEXT GENERATION!
We are always delighted when our owners and friends bring their families to Jackdaws Castle.
It’s great to see owners sharing their love of owning a racehorse and passing on that passion to the next generation, who get to stroke the horses and feed them lots of carrots!
IRISH RACING STABLE TOUR
Irish Racing paid us a visit in early October to have a chat with Jonjo about some of the horses ahead of the new season.
You can watch the video below.
Upcoming Birthdays & Work Anniversaries
Happy birthday to…
Ionut Gabriel Ungureanu (Gabby)
November 6th
Billie Marshall
November 10th
Tirana Jakupi
November 17th
Madalin Marian Radu (Doc)
November 20th
Ben Macey
November 26th
Social Media
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please give us a follow using the links below.
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