January 2023

A Treble at Newcastle

After two inspections, we were delighted to see Newcastle go ahead with 3 out of our 4 runners all winning.

First up, Blue Shark and Jamie Brace followed up their victory at Ffos Las with another pleasing 6-length win in the opener.

Huge congratulations once again to Ros, Zakia, Sam, Sue, Paul and Tony of The Ocean Partnership.

Our second winner came in the very next race with Crebilly looking very impressive on his debut over hurdles under a confident Jonjo O’Neill Jr. ride and in the colours of JP McManus.

​Mondbeg Genius and Jonjo Jr. lined up in the third race and jumped brilliant throughout to secure victory and a brilliant treble.

We are thrilled for Michelle and Doug of Barrowman Racing.

Many congratulations to all connections and well done to our team whose hard work has been rewarded with a fantastic day.

Lock’s Corner wins at Ayr

Lock’s Corner followed up his win at Catterick last month with another impressive victory at Ayr under a brilliant ride by Jonjo Jr.

Always in touch with the leaders, they were going easily around the home turn, before being pushed along and ridden after 3 out. They went third after 2 out, keeping on well and pulling away in the run in.

​Many congratulations to owner JP McManus.

Blue Shark completes his hat-trick at Fontwell

Blue Shark and Jamie Brace completed a hat-trick of victories in their last three runs with a hard-foght victory at Fontwell.

Always in touch with the leaders, he was pushed along 2 out where they found themselves a bit short of room when disputing the lead. He was ridden to lead in the run-in and was hard pressed towards the finish, just holding on for the win.

We are absolutely thrilled once again for ​Ros, Zakia, Sam, Sue, Paul and Tony of The Ocean Partnership.

A festive double at Chepstow

​We enjoyed a brilliant day in the rain at Chepstow with two very pleasing victories.

Saint Davy and Jonjo Jr. somehow managed to get their noses in front on the final stride of a pulsating race after being briefly headed on the run-in. There was a long wait while the photo-finish was being looked at and a huge roar around Chepstow when he was announced the winner.

We are absolutely thrilled for owner Mrs Gay Smith!

This was followed up three races later when Flight Deck produced a faultless performance to bring up a double for us and a treble for Jonjo Jr. on the day.

Many congratulations to JP McManus and well done to the team for all of their hard work over the Christmas period.

A brilliant Haydock hat-trick

We followed up our Chepstow double with a fantastic Haydock treble.

It all started in the opener when Lorcan Murtagh produced a superb ride aboard Sacre Coeur, staying on well and managing to get up to win by half a length.

​Iron Bridge and Jonjo Jr. got back to winning ways in the following race. After jumping nicely throughout, he was left alone when the only other runner Crystal Glory pulled up. It was lovely to hear the cheers as he popped the last few fences and we were delighted for The Exors of the late Trevor Hemmings, Kathryn Revitt and Trevor’s family who were there to enjoy the win.

Monbeg Genius impresses at Chepstow

Monbeg Genius followed up his victory at Newcastle exactly a month ago with an impressive performance at Chepstow, in the hands of Jonjo Jr.

The pair were always going nicely and made smooth headway before 4 out, before making a challenge for the lead before 3-out. He was pushed along before the second last and disputed the lead over the last before striding away in the last 100 yards to win by 5 lengths.

Many congratulations to Barrowman Racing Limited and to Jojo who led in her first winner since the arrival of baby son Finn.
Monbeg Genius and Jonjo Jr. on their way to victory at Chepstow

Collectors Item wins at Kempton

Collectors Item returned to the winning enclosure after an impressive performance at Kempton under a superb Jonjo Jr, ride.

They raced in last but were always in touch with the leaders, before being pushed along before 2 out. It looked like they may have to settle for second until they found a brilliant jump and good momentum at the last to pull clear on the run in.

Huge congratulations to ​Les and Vicky, Eric, Peter and Julia, John, Ray, Nathan, Steve and Sheila of Jackdaws Antiques.

Many congratulations to Ionut Gabriel Ungureanu (Gabby) on being awarded our latest Employee of the Month.

As well as all of his yard duties, Gabby has stepped up to assist our travelling team during the busy period, driving horses to and from the races.

We have asked him a few questions so you can get to know him.

What is you favourite thing about working at Jonjo O’Neill Racing?
I really enjoy working with lovely horses and people.

How long have you worked at Jonjo O’Neill Racing
I have been here for 5 and a half years now. It has absolutely flown by!

What is you best moment in racing so far?
That has to be leading up Saint Davy at Chepstow on Welsh Grand National Day. It was a great race and he won by a nose in the photo finish. The noise when he was announced the winner was amazing!

​What do you enjoy doing away from racing?
Away from racing, I really enjoy watching films and spending time with my friends here at Jackdaws Castle.

​It has been confirmed that one of our local pubs, The Halfway at Kineton (3 miles from Jackdaws Castle) is being given a new lease of life after being taken on by renowned chefs Nathan Eades and Liam Goff, both having previously worked in Michelin starred kitchens.

They are promising to deliver what they describe as ‘affordable luxury’, with a huge focus on championing local and quality ingredients and restoring the pub to its former glory.

The pub will be reopening to the public on 3rd February 2023 after a sympathetic renovation and also boasts 3 rooms, perfect for anyone visiting Cheltenham Races.