June/July 2023

Although we have been relatively quiet on the track in the last few weeks, we have been anything but quiet, off it!

We have had an incredibly busy and productive period at the sales in the UK and Ireland, buying what we hope are some seriously exciting horses. As I write this, AJ and Jonjo Jr. have just returned from the Arqana Summer Sale at Deauville in France where we bought a couple of nice prospects.

On the course, it was brilliant to see Judicial Law back up his win at Worcester with victory at Huntingdon and lovely for Biowavego to get back into the winners’ enclosure at Warwick after a few months off. Playtogetaway followed up his win at Huntingdon with a stylish performance at Worcester and Zabeel Champion made the long trip to Perth worthwhile with a convincing victory for Martin and Iwona Tedham.

At home, the Summer is a time for getting everything in tip top condition, and our ground staff have been flat out repairing and upgrading our walk and trot tracks, while our riders and yard staff have repainted the stables and creosoted our miles of fencing.

We never sit on our laurels, and use these months to discuss all our ways of doing things with our vets, feed suppliers, farrier, physios and senior staff, to ensure we are giving our horses everything possible to support their health, welfare and performance. There is always something to learn!

We have started bringing some of the horses back in from their holidays. It will be a case of easing them back into training for the first few weeks, before ramping up their exercise ahead of the new season. You can read a little more about their programme below.

If you would like to get involved in ownership or would like any further information on how to get involved, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us on pa@jonjooneillracing.com.

Thank you to you all for your continued support,

Stay healthy and best wishes,

Jonjo

Recent Winners

May 23

Judicial Law makes it two in a row at Huntingdon

Judicial Law and Jonjo Jr. made it two wins in May with victory in the feature race at Huntingdon.

Always in touch with the leaders, they went second three jumps from home before challenging for the front at the last. They took the lead in the run-in and won going away.

Huge congratulations once again to owner Mrs Gay Smith.

May 24

Biowavego back to winning ways at Warwick

Biowavego returned to the winner’s enclosure at Warwick this afternoon in the hands of Kevin Brogan.

After being prominent for much of the race, they went second 2 out, 5 lengths behind the leader. After making headway towards the last, the led on the run-in and stayed on really well.

We are delighted for Martyn, Steve and Kate of Dydb Marketing Limited.

June 3

Playtogetaway wins at Worcester

Playtogetaway followed up his win at Huntingdon in April with victory at Worcester in the hands of Jonjo Jr.

After running in second for the majority of the race, they disputed the lead going easily 2 out, before getting to the front and pulling away for a 3¼ length victory.

Many congratulations to owners Betfred.

July 6

Zabeel Champion wins at Perth

Zabeel Champion took us into double figures for the season with an impressive victory up at Perth in the hands of Nick Scholfield.

He was pushed along to lead after 2 out and stayed on well when faced with a challenge for the front.

We are thrilled for Martin and Iwona Tedham, huge congratulations!

HORSES STARTING TO COME BACK IN FROM THEIR HOLIDAYS

We have started bringing our winter horses in from the field after their summer holidays.

They will spend a period of 3-4 weeks trotting on the deep sand to build fitness, muscle and topline, and will then start to steady canter on the deep sand for another 1-2 weeks, before then introducing cantering up the hill.

This gradual return to work allows them the time to get used to using their muscles again, and the deep sand is a good way to build up their fitness levels.

We brought some of our holiday horses in from the fields this morning to get them back into training ahead of the winter jumps season.

They will spend the next 3-4 weeks trotting on the deep sand to build fitness, muscle and topline, before we steadily increase their exercise. pic.twitter.com/5MRUyf16Po

— O’Neill Racing (@_oneillracing) July 4, 2023

Some light exercise in the indoor school for some of the horses that came back in last week pic.twitter.com/cgyUqdoNcJ

— O’Neill Racing (@_oneillracing) July 10, 2023

EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH

Many congratulations to Chloe Cullen for being awarded our latest Employee of the Month.

Chloe passed her End Point Assessment with a roving instructor from the National Horseracing College in Doncaster. This means she has completed her Level 2 Apprenticeship in Racehorse Care, covering all aspects of looking after racehorses but also a maths and English test.

Congratulations to Chloe on her success and best wishes with this exciting new stage of your career. We look forward to fully supporting your future learning and development.

ROYAL ASCOT 2023

We had a wonderful time catching up with lots of our owner friends and, of course, saying farewell to the legendary Frankie Dettori after riding an incredible 81 Royal Ascot winners.

Here are just some of the photos from a fabulous week!

HUNTINGDON JOCKEY CHAMPIONSHIPS

Jonjo Jr. was one of the leading jockeys at Huntingdon this season which is sponsored by the brilliant Fairfax Saddles.

He is lucky to win a full set of Fairfax Exercise Kit which includes a Saddle, a Bridle, a Girth and a pad.

NEW ENDURANCE TRACK

We take full advantage of the quieter months here at Jackdaws Castle.

Doc and his grounds team have been very busy resurfacing our endurance track which the horses use to reach the bottom of the short gallop.

They have done a brilliant job!