Cherry Jones grew up amongst horseracing, her parents having had studs at Cokethorpe and later Chaddleworth. Cherry has continued to breed thoroughbreds, saying, ‘We have eight brood mares here to breed our own and I have two mares in Ireland at Rahiston Stud with Harry Fowler. However, I occasionally buy into Sir Martin Broughton's fun and successful syndicates! This year, I have a share in Botanist, who we bred, and was bought by George Baker for Highclere Racing.’ Her home-breds have won lots of races in her turquoise and cerise colours.
Cherry Jones' first winner - Admiral Rose
Presently, Cherry owns Inca Rose and Rose And Thistle with Kim Bailey, Peking Rose with Fergal O Brien, Rose O Hara with Jamie Snowden, Grand Sancy with Paul Nichols and Botanist with George Baker.
Peking Rose won a Carlisle bumper in October 2020 and finished his season with a brilliant second in a bumper at the Aintree Festival, beaten by half a length. Grand Sancy has won six races so far and is very consistent.
In the past, Cherry has owned lots of racehorses, including Admiral Rose, Alvino, Ringaroses, Cinderella Rose, Rose to Fame, Capitaine…to name a few!
Cherry lives in Coln St Dennis, Gloucestershire with husband Nicholas. They have four children, lots of grandchildren and two pet dogs, of which the terrier was bred by Christopher Hodgson and descended from Willie Carson’s special Jack Russell, Chester!
Twelve Roses winning at Ascot under Richard Johnson
Are you ‘horsey’ or do you just love racing?
Yes, I have to admit to being horsey! My father farmed at Cokethorpe where we kept ponies. We Pony Clubbed and hunted with the Old Berks. They had a few mares too and bred the dual Cheltenham winner Crimson Embers trained by Fulke Walwyn.
How did you get into racehorse ownership?
I inherited my parents’ stud, including the brilliant and infamous mare Rose Ravine.
Rose Ravine winning at Cheltenham
What was the first racehorse you owned?
Admiral Rose trained by Nicky Henderson in 1999. He was second first time out and went on to win at Chepstow, Ludlow and Folkestone.
What was your first winner?
In 1999, Admiral Rose at Chepstow – so satisfying as he was the first horse that I had bred myself.
What was the inspiration behind the design of your racing colours?
I inherited the turquoise, black braces and cerise cap from my Mother.
Who have been your trainers?
Nicky Henderson, Richard Phillips, Jonjo O’Neill, Charlie Longsdon, Paul Nicholls, Kim Bailey, Jamie Snowden and Fergal O Brien.
How many racehorses do you own at present?
Inca Rose, Peking Rose, Rose O Hara, Rose and Thistle, Grand Sancy.
Do you purchase photographs of your winners?
Always!
Do you have any favourite racehorses you owned?
Cinderella Rose, who was a multiple winner with Kim Bailey and went on to be a good brood mare for us.
Crimson Embers and Rose Ravine
What is your favourite racecourse?
Cheltenham – so many happy memories with my parents winning the Waterford Crystal stayers hurdle three times. We have cupboards full of wonderful glass!
Which racecourses look after owners the best and why?
I think Newbury look after owners particularly well now with their new facilities.
Tywford Rose winning at Towcester
What has been your best day’s racing as an owner so far?
When Alvino won the Coronation Cup at Larkhill at 33-1. She was trained by us at Coln Valley Stud!
How do you name your unnamed purchases?
They are all descended from Rose Ravine – I’ve continued to use Rose in most of their names.
What race would you most like to win?
The Gold Cup at Cheltenham.
Rose To Riches winning at Taunton
Photo Credit: Kim Bailey Racing
Which horse would you like to own?
I should love to own Honeysuckle – in the hope she will become a broodmare, and Annie Power for the same reason.
Generally, what does racing do well?
The TBA breeder's schemes are a good incentive for National Hunt breeders.
Rose to Fame won two MOPS races and we would like to win a GBB prize.
Rose Revived winning at Ludlow under AP McCoy
Have you ever had a racing hero?
John Francome and Richard Phillips - they were both so supportive to my daughter Melanie, who was aged nineteen and diagnosed with terminal cancer.
Peking Rose finishing an excellant second in the Wetherby's bumper
at last season's Aintree festival, beaten only half a length.
Photo Credit: Aintree Raccourse
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