Diamond Geezer
Gone But Not Forgotten
- Joined
- May 2, 2003
- Messages
- 13,884
Bright and early this morning Mrs DG and I drove to Jackdaws Castle where we joined around seventy or so local fellow NH fans for a look round. Instructions beforehand from our organiser were not to touch horses, not to feed them anything and don’t ask any member of staff about the chances of any horses at the Festival 
So why were we there then, well because ten or twelve years ago when paying a visit to Jonjo and Jacqui O’Neill who were at that time based near Penrith the hospitality had been amazing and the guided tour had been professional through and through and any repeat was not to be missed.They were to surpass themselves today.
The place looked just as I remembered it from attending the Open Days when The Duke was in residence but it was to become apparent just what improvements had been made over the years. The day got off to a good start when a car pulled into the yard and our organiser told the driver he couldn’t park there as it was reserved for our party. At this point the front seat passenger awoke from his slumber instantly recognisable as AP McCoy. :laughing: :clap:
To start the day off we were all presented with posh folders detailing the itinerary for the morning and listing thirty horses due out first lot including Black Jack Ketchum, Wichita Lineman, Albertas Run, Butlers Cabin.
Jacqui O’Neill addressing us over the load haler regarding our tour.
Looking into the first yard
Took this one of Crocodile Rock walking past on the way to the indoor school
A cheery good morning from Jonjo and AP and we stood in the middle of the indoor school as the horses warmed up for first lot
Jonjo discussing who knows what with AP
At this point the ever professional DG realised the batteries in his camera were dying and he had no replacements on him, so selective picture taking now as long as the batteries held up.
As first lot moved out to the gallops we went to the pool where Bob Hall was enjoying an early morning dip
And Hasty Prince was having a spell under the lamp
We then moved out onto the gallops in the biting wind to watch four groups come up the gallops accompanied by Jonjo in his truck
Then it was back to all the yards where assistant Guy Upton took us to all the boxes in turn and gave a brief resume on each the inhabitants whilst Jacqui O’Neill and Rebecca ? were there to answer any questions we had.
Some early morning sunshine for some of the horses
After which ,damn and blast,the dud batteries meant missed opportunities for taking pics of horses returning from the gallops and AP moving out on Exotic Dancer.
Then it was upstairs to the Owners Lounge, wall to wall photos of Jonjo’s career, dedicated TV screens to each racing channel, each with a built in DVD underneath, a library of racing books and various drink cabinets and then from the kitchen at the end, mannah from heaven, steaming hot coffee and tea, bacon butties, quiches, sausages etc and more opportunity to talk with the staff and Jonjo and Jacqui’s racing mad young lads.
A horse in training there costs around £15K - £17K a year, there are ninety or so in training at the moment looked after by fifty five staff.
Lots more about the place here too
[url=http://www.jonjooneillracing.com/welcome.htm]http://www.jonjooneillracing.com/welcome.htm[/url]
A most enjoyable morning and couldn’t believe the trouble the stable had gone to given the proximity of the Festival, Jacqui O’Neills involvement as Patron of Ladies Day on the Thursday and of course it being another busy weekend, a bit of welcome PR locally in an otherwise troubled week.
So why were we there then, well because ten or twelve years ago when paying a visit to Jonjo and Jacqui O’Neill who were at that time based near Penrith the hospitality had been amazing and the guided tour had been professional through and through and any repeat was not to be missed.They were to surpass themselves today.The place looked just as I remembered it from attending the Open Days when The Duke was in residence but it was to become apparent just what improvements had been made over the years. The day got off to a good start when a car pulled into the yard and our organiser told the driver he couldn’t park there as it was reserved for our party. At this point the front seat passenger awoke from his slumber instantly recognisable as AP McCoy. :laughing: :clap:
To start the day off we were all presented with posh folders detailing the itinerary for the morning and listing thirty horses due out first lot including Black Jack Ketchum, Wichita Lineman, Albertas Run, Butlers Cabin.
Jacqui O’Neill addressing us over the load haler regarding our tour.
Looking into the first yard
Took this one of Crocodile Rock walking past on the way to the indoor school
A cheery good morning from Jonjo and AP and we stood in the middle of the indoor school as the horses warmed up for first lot
Jonjo discussing who knows what with AP
At this point the ever professional DG realised the batteries in his camera were dying and he had no replacements on him, so selective picture taking now as long as the batteries held up.
As first lot moved out to the gallops we went to the pool where Bob Hall was enjoying an early morning dip
And Hasty Prince was having a spell under the lamp
We then moved out onto the gallops in the biting wind to watch four groups come up the gallops accompanied by Jonjo in his truck
Then it was back to all the yards where assistant Guy Upton took us to all the boxes in turn and gave a brief resume on each the inhabitants whilst Jacqui O’Neill and Rebecca ? were there to answer any questions we had.
Some early morning sunshine for some of the horses
After which ,damn and blast,the dud batteries meant missed opportunities for taking pics of horses returning from the gallops and AP moving out on Exotic Dancer.
Then it was upstairs to the Owners Lounge, wall to wall photos of Jonjo’s career, dedicated TV screens to each racing channel, each with a built in DVD underneath, a library of racing books and various drink cabinets and then from the kitchen at the end, mannah from heaven, steaming hot coffee and tea, bacon butties, quiches, sausages etc and more opportunity to talk with the staff and Jonjo and Jacqui’s racing mad young lads.
A horse in training there costs around £15K - £17K a year, there are ninety or so in training at the moment looked after by fifty five staff.
Lots more about the place here too
[url=http://www.jonjooneillracing.com/welcome.htm]http://www.jonjooneillracing.com/welcome.htm[/url]
A most enjoyable morning and couldn’t believe the trouble the stable had gone to given the proximity of the Festival, Jacqui O’Neills involvement as Patron of Ladies Day on the Thursday and of course it being another busy weekend, a bit of welcome PR locally in an otherwise troubled week.
