What a brilliant month that was!

When we last spoke, we were gearing up for the Cheltenham Festival and to bookend the week with two winners was truly incredible. As we all know, runners at the Festival are difficult to come by, let alone winners, so this was incredibly special.

Firstly, with Johnnywho winning the Ultima on Tuesday. The emotion in the winner’s enclosure was immense, from Richie’s roar as he arrived back in, to seeing his embrace with Noreen McManus and his Mum, Dad and partner Brooke. It was amazing to give Richie another Cheltenham Festival winner to add to his ever expanding trophy cabinet, and brilliant to give JP McManus one of his four winners of the week!

This was also AJ’s first taste of Cheltenham Festival success, and to do it on the opening day means you can enjoy the week a little bit more!

Wilful has been the superstar of the dual-licence being the first winner since the change, finishing in the first four on nine of his 11 starts since, five of which he has put his nose in front where it matters and to add a Cheltenham Festival success to this truly fantastic roll of honour. A very special horse for the Team at here at O’Neill Racing. Jonjo Jr. gave him a brilliant ride, leading from pillar to post, and watching him jumping the last and up pulling clear the hill from the parade ring with Jim Hay’s daughter Lauren, Nick Wood and Alex Cole was magical, as were the celebrations that followed. It’s a huge privilege to have Mrs Fitri Hay’s colours in the winner’s enclosure for the first time at the Cheltenham Festival

There is no feeling like it and we are just thrilled for JP and Noreen, Jim, Fitri and Lauren.

As well as the two winners, it was brilliant to see Monbeg Genius run a blinder to finish third in the Rosconn Group Kim Muir for our wonderful friends and Sponsors Iwona and Martin Tedham. Ireland will be the next stop for him!

With a slower start to the season than anticipated it really was just what the doctor ordered! We cannot thank all of our Owners enough for their patience during that frustrating period and are delighted that the temporary pause has been vindicated with such a fantastic start to the Spring Festivals.

Seeing what this meant to the Team was truly wonderful. John’s (Wilful’s stable-hand) celebrations when Wilful crossed the line epitomise what this means to all the lads and lasses who put their hearts and souls into these horses every day, come rain, snow, wind and the occasional bit of sunshine!

As always, our Owners’ Suite was full every morning with lots of our owners and friends before they headed off to the races. The atmosphere is always great, as is the breakfast and champagne. A huge thank you to them and to the tipsters who joined us each morning too!

The next day we were up at Uttoxeter where Wellington Arch continued our fantastic week with a lovely victory for Mike and Mary Gaskell. He will now head to Aintree aiming to retain the William Hill Hurdle on the Friday.

Most recently, it was wonderful to see Pioneer Pete get off the mark at Wetherby. “Pete” was bred by our great friend Lady Anthea Leigh and has a lovely group of owners – Hayley Ashley, Lord Christopher Leigh, Laurence Hampton, Nick Mustoe, Lisa Rawlings, David Shortland & Julie White – who make up the Furlong Friends Partnership. We are absolutely delighted for all of you!

Away from the track, we enjoyed a lovely evening out at The Hollow Bottom, celebrating a Cheltenham Festival to remember with the Team.

All roads now lead to Fairyhouse where Monbeg Genius will run in the Irish Grand National and the Grand National Festival at Aintree where we have a few entries, including the aforementioned Wellington Arch, Peaky Boy, and Jipcot in the Topham and Johnnywho in the Grand National.

A very exciting few weeks to reflect on and look forward to!

​With our best wishes and Happy Easter!

Jonjo and AJ

Away from the crowds at Cheltenham, it is always lovely to capture some special moments with our Cheltenham heroes, both equine and human and a glass of champagne back here at Jackdaws Castle.

It was lovely that Lauren Hay brought the Wilful’s trophy in to show the team, and for Richie and his parents to enjoy some time with Johnnywho.

AJ, Richie and Alan Berry with Johnnywho

Jonjo, Lauren Hay and Jonj with Wilful and Maisie

Jonjo, Iwona and Martin with Monbeg Genius and Jojo

Richie’s mum and dad, Philip and Betty, with Johnnywho

Wilful inspecting his trophy!

Iwona with Monbeg

Richie and Johnnywho

Johnnywho with Alan (who rides him every day)

Congratulations to Georgie Palmer for being awarded our Employee of the Month.

Since joining us in January, Georgie has become an invaluable member of our team.  Her hard work, dedication and skillset was crucial in us having an incredibly successful Cheltenham Festival week hosting owners and friends here at Jackdaws Castle and at the racecourse.

Georgie wins​ a dinner, bed & breakfast overnight stay at any Accor Hotel of her choice within the UK.

A huge thank you to Chris Ford and Accor for their generous sponsorship of our Employee of the Month which rewards team members with a wonderful experience.