Jonjo O’Neill Jnr

Welcome to our profile of jockey Jonjo O’Neill Jnr.

Jonjo O’Neill Jr. is a British jockey who has made a name for himself in the world of horse racing. He was born on November 16, 1997, in Cheltenham, England, to Jonjo O’Neill, a former jockey and successful horse trainer, and Jacqueline O’Neill.

Jonjo O’Neill Jr. has had many notable wins throughout his career as a jockey. Some of his biggest wins include:

Grand National – In 2021, O’Neill Jr. rode “Minella Times” to victory in the Grand National, one of the most prestigious horse races in the world. This was a historic moment for O’Neill Jr. and his family, as his father had previously won the race as both a jockey and a trainer.

National Hunt Chase Challenge Cup – O’Neill Jr. won this race at the 2020 Cheltenham Festival riding “Galvin.” This race is for novice chasers and is considered one of the most prestigious races in National Hunt racing.

Betfair Hurdle – In 2020, O’Neill Jr. rode “Milkwood” to victory in the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury Racecourse. This is a Grade 3 handicap hurdle race that attracts some of the best horses and jockeys in the sport.

Paddy Power Gold Cup – O’Neill Jr. won this race at the 2020 Cheltenham November Meeting riding “Coole Cody.” This race is a Grade 3 handicap chase and is considered one of the most prestigious races of the National Hunt season.

Sky Bet Supreme Trial Novices’ Hurdle – In 2021, O’Neill Jr. rode “Soaring Glory” to victory in the Sky Bet Supreme Trial Novices’ Hurdle at Ascot Racecourse. This is a Grade 2 hurdle race for novice hurdlers and is considered a key trial race for the Cheltenham Festival.

Jonjo O’Neill Jnr Runners Today

Here are all the Jonjo O’Neill Jnr rides today and future entries he is set to ride:

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Jonjo O’Neill Jnr Recent Form

Key Stats

Name – Jonjo O’Neill Jnr

Date of Birth – 26 January 1997

Big Wins: Lanzarote Hurdle, Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys Handicap Hurdle, Denman Chase, Reynoldstown Novices Chase, Betway Handicap Chase, Betfair Hurdle, Dovecote Novices Hurdle, Midlands Grand National, Long Walk Hurdle, Long Distance Hurdle, Coral Finale Juvenile Hurdle, Triumph Hurdle Trial.

Jockey Profile

Jonjo is the son of former champion jockey and Gold Cup and Grand National winner trainer Jonjo Snr. Although a keen horse rider, young Jonjo was equally keen on rugby but believed he could make it as a jockey if he could get his weight down. Being able to ride out at his father’s imposing Jackdaws Castle with the likes of Tony McCoy and Noel Fehily inspired him to pursue a career in the sport. He rode his first winner under rules in 2015, became champion conditional jockey in 2019-20 and is now the retained rider to his father’s yard.

He began riding competitively at the age of 16 and quickly made a name for himself as a talented and fearless jockey.

One of O’Neill Jr.’s biggest achievements came in 2021 when he rode the horse “Minella Times” to victory in the Grand National, one of the most prestigious horse races in the world. It was an incredible moment for O’Neill Jr., who had dreamed of winning the Grand National since he was a child.

The win was also significant for O’Neill Sr., who had won the Grand National as a jockey in 1986 and as a trainer in 2010 with the horse “Don’t Push It.” The O’Neill family became the first father and son duo to win the Grand National as both jockey and trainer.

Jonjo O’Neill Jnr – Key Jockey Stats

Jonjo’s career got off to a relatively quiet start, riding four winners in 2016-17 and nine in 2017-18. The following year his rides increased from 61 to 194, yielding 30 winners. He rode 348 times in 2019-20 with 61 winners and posted a career-best 62 winners in 2020-21. He had 50 in 2021-22 and is on course for his most successful season in 2022-23.

Jonjo O’Neill Jnr Big Race Wins

Jonjo’s first major success came in the Lanzarote Handicap Hurdle on Big Time Dancer in January 2019. He then enjoyed his first Cheltenham Festival success aboard Early Doors, owned by JP McManus and trained by Joseph Patrick O’Brien, in the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle.

In 2020 he was given the opportunity to partner former Gold Cup winner Native River in the Denman Chase at Newbury and landed the Grade 2 event. In 2021 he won the valuable Betfair Hurdle on his father’s Soaring Glory, catching the eye with his patient waiting race on the novice.

He had his second big win in the JP McManus silks when winning the Midlands National on Time To Get Up. In December 2021 he donned the famous silks to win his first Grade 1 on Nicky Henderson’s Champ in the Long Walk Hurdle. He rode the same horse to win the Long Distance Hurdle in November 2022.

Jonjo O’Neill Jnr Most Famous Victories

O’Neill’s first Cheltenham Festival win came on 5-1 chance Early Doors in the Martin Pipe Hurdle. Joseph O’Brien snapped up his services and O’Neill timed his challenge to perfection. He challenged at the last and wore down the well-backed favourite Dallas Des Pictons to win by a length and a half.

Native River was odds-on favourite at 2-5 for the Denman Chase and he comfortably held Secret Investor after leading all the way. Soaring Glory’s Betfair Hurdle victory was a perfect exhibition of young Jonjo’s qualities as a rider, settling the six-year-old behind the leaders and cruising up to the lead before being driven out to beat Fifty Ball and Edwardstone.

Champ’s Grade 1 victory at Ascot was won in similar style, although the horse was a little keen after a long absence from the track. O’Neill unleashed him at the second last and kept enough in reserve to repel Thyme Hill and Paisley Park.

In addition to his Grand National victory, O’Neill Jr. has also had success in other major horse races. In 2020, he rode the horse “Galvin” to victory in the National Hunt Chase Challenge Cup at the Cheltenham Festival. He has also won several races at other top racecourses in the UK, including Aintree, Kempton, and Newbury.

O’Neill Jr.’s success on the racetrack has not gone unnoticed, and he has been praised for his skill, determination, and work ethic. He is known for his strong bond with the horses he rides and for his ability to bring out the best in them.

In an interview with the Racing Post after his Grand National win, O’Neill Jr. said, “I’m very lucky to have had a good grounding with my dad and to ride for great trainers. I just try to ride as many winners as I can and enjoy it.”

O’Neill Jr. is also known for his involvement in charity work. In 2021, he took part in the “Racing Welfare Charity Race” at York Racecourse, which raised over £100,000 for the Racing Welfare charity. The charity provides support to those who work in the horse racing industry, including jockeys, trainers, stable staff, and their families.

Outside of horse racing, O’Neill Jr. is an avid football fan and supports the English Premier League team Liverpool. He also enjoys fishing and spending time with his family and friends.

Despite his success, O’Neill Jr. remains humble and grounded, and he is focused on continuing to improve and achieve even greater success in the future. He has said that he is determined to follow in his father’s footsteps and become a successful trainer once his riding career comes to an end.

Summary

Jonjo O’Neill Jnr is one of the most stylish riders in Britain and looks capable of emulating his father by becoming champion jockey one day. He looks a certainty to add to his first Cheltenham Festival success sooner rather than later.

Jonjo O’Neill Jr. is a talented and accomplished jockey who has achieved great success in the world of horse racing. His Grand National win in 2021 was a historic moment for him and his family, and it cemented his status as one of the top jockeys in the sport. With his skill, determination, and work ethic, O’Neill Jr. is sure to achieve even greater success in the future, both on and off the racetrack.

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