The Leeside legends series: Jonjo O'Neill left Castletownroche to become a racing icon as a jockey and trainer

The masses are sometimes misguided with such figures but with O’Neill they have somebody as authentic as his reputation for courage in adversity.

The scenes after that particular race were quite amazing as the Irish punters went

absolutely wild with excitement as they had just witnessed one of the bravest performances ever from a horse and rider at the famous Cotswold’s track.
A year later Jonjo trained Don’t Push It to win the Aintree Grand National and two years later Synchronized won the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

But then O’Neill is an eternal optimist.

Jonjo O’Neill rode his first winner on January 1972 on a 25/1 outsider Stan Royal at Navan.
Jonjo joined Gordon Richards stable in Penrith Cumbrian in March 1972.
In 1977 O’Neill broke Ron Barry’s record of 125 winners in a season when he saddled 149 winners.
O’Neill rode 901 winners during his illustrious career.
Jonjo will be best remembered for his memorable 1985 Cheltenham Gold Cup success on Dawn Run.