April 2023
We hope you all enjoyed a wonderful Easter. We are now looking forward to the Grand National meeting which will undoubtedly provide us with three days of brilliant racing. Although we don’t have a runner in the big race this year, we will be taking some of our young stars up to Liverpool. Springwell Bay and Saint Davy are entered and both have a live chance of bringing home the glory.
Another highlight is the Goffs sale on the opening Thursday (13th April) evening after racing. Once again, we have our eye on a couple of the exciting prospects on offer. If you are interested in purchasing and would like to join us at the sale, please get in touch. You can use the link below to read more.
After the crazy weather of the last months, it finally seems to have returned to normal and this has given us the chance to get many of our horses out and racing. We have been really excited about how they have performed and we hope this will continue if the ground conditions remain favourable.
Last month, after heartfelt discussions with his owners, the decision was made to retire Cloth Cap. He gave us, and Trevor Hemmings, some very special days, with his win in the Ladbroke’s Trophy (formally The Hennessy) in 2020 being an unforgettable highlight. He owes us absolutely nothing and finishes his career healthy and happy.
I hope you manage to pick the winner in The National. It’s an iconic race and holds a unique place in the history and culture of our sport.
Stay healthy and best wishes,
Jonjo
Recent Winners
Red Dirt Road impresses at Exeter
Red Dirt Road and Jonjo Jr. put in an impressive display to win by 12 lengths at Exeter.
They led from flag to post and always looked comfortable, going clear before the last and easing down towards the finish.
We are delighted for Danny, Heather and Linda Walker!
March 12
Cedar Row wins on handicap debut at Warwick
Cedar Row made a winning handicap debut at Warwick in the hands of Jonjo Jr.
The pair made good headway before 3 out and was soon ridden into the lead just after 2 out. They kept on nicely in the run-in to win by 4 and half lengths.
Many congratulations to the Exors Of The Late Trevor Hemmings.
March 19
Dollar Bae wins the feature at Chepstow
Dollar Bae and Jonjo Jr. returned to the winner’s enclosure after a stylish performance in the feature race at Chepstow.
We are absolutely thrilled for Max, Angela, Lisa, Paul, Gillian, John and Eric of The Perfect Partnership, huge congratulations!
Springwell Bay wins in Style at Wetherby
Springwell Bay backed up his win at Ascot with another stylish performance at Wetherby in the hands of Jonjo O’Neill Jr.
Racing in second for the majority of the race, they took the lead before the last and went on to win comfortably by 2 lengths.
Many congratulations to owner Mrs Gay Smith.
Johnnywho shines on debut at Taunton
Johnnywho impressed on his first start under rules when winning the bumper at Taunton in the hands of Jonjo Jr.
Many congratulations to owner JP McManus.
April 1
Joly Maker wins at Stratford
Joly Maker put a fantastic display to win at Stratford under a brilliant ride by Max Kendrick.
They were always in touch with the leaders and jumped the last with good momentum, before staying on well and leading towards the finish.
Congratulations to owner JP McManus.
April 4
Rocco Royale wins at Fontwell
Rocco Royale stayed on well to win the opener at Fontwell under a superb Jonjo Jr. ride.
Huge congratulations to his owners The Royales – Allan, Davinia and Matt, Gavin and Kathryn, Les and Vicki, Steve and Shirley Anne, Graham and Michelle, Louise and John, Martin, Sandra and Eric!
April 10
Playtogetaway opens his account at Huntingdon
Playtogetaway opened his account for us at Huntington under another brilliant ride by Jonjo Jr.
Many congratulations to Fred Done and his team at Betfred on Playtogetaway’s first win.
All proceeds from Playtogetaway will go to The Christie NHS Foundation Trust.
GOFFS AINTREE SALE
The Goffs Aintree Sale offers a leading boutique sale of pointers after racing on Thursday 13th April at Aintree’s Randox Grand National Festival.
As you can imagine, there is a buzzing atmosphere and our team will be there looking for the next superstar.
If you are interested in purchasing, please contact us at pa@jonjooneillracing.com and we would love for you to join us at the sales.
You can view the horses on offer via the button below.
HAPPY RETIREMENT CLOTHY!
After heartfelt discussions with his owners last month, we made the decision to retire Cloth Cap.
He gave ourselves and Trevor Hemmings some incredibly special days, notably winning The Laldbrokes Trophy (formerly the Hennesy) in 2020 with an incredible jumping display in the hands of Tom Scudamore.
It’s wonderful that he finishes very happy and healthy and will enjoy his retirement in the Isle of Man.
Thanks for the memories, Clothy!
ANNIE MC IN FRANCE
Simon Clare from Coral shared some lovely pictures with us of Annie Mc over in France.
It’s wonderful that Coral are keeping her and a broodmare. We can’t wait to meet her offspring and follow their journey!
EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH
Many congratulations to Cain Rees one being awarded our Employee of the Month award.
Cain has done a great job riding some of the more difficult horses and has also been brilliant when at the races.
We have asked him a few questions for you to get to know him better.
What is you favourite thing about working at Jonjo O’Neill Racing?
I really enjoy going racing and leading up the horses. I also love riding lots of the horses here at Jackdaws Castle
How long have you worked at Jonjo O’Neill Racing
I’ve been here since October and really enjoy it!
What is you best moment in racing so far?
Leading up Red Dirt Road when he won at Exeter. It was brilliant to see him run so well and a real buzz to lead him back into the winner’s enclosure
What do you enjoy doing away from racing?
Socialising with firends.
CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL AT JACKDAWS CASTLE
We welcomed lots of our wonderful owners and guests to Jackdaws Castle over the week of the Cheltenham Festival.
The week kicked off in usual fashion with the brilliant Alan Brazil and the TalkSport Breakfast Show team coming live from our Owner’s Suite.
Our guests enjoyed a champagne breakfast with stunning canapes created by Matthew Brown and his team from the Wesley House in Winchcombe.
You can see all of the photographs by clicking on the button below.
Upcoming Birthdays & Work Anniversaries
A huge happy upcoming birthday to…
Jonjo Snr
13th April
AJ O’Neill
13th April
Georgia Plumb
13th April
Megan Petrie
18th April
Aleks Pawlowski
18th April
Alexandra Howitt
30th April
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