August 2026 Blog

Rain arrived at the end of August. The parched grass has started growing a tinge of green again, the tangle of briars are heavy with glossy blackberries and real jump racing feels within our reach.

Our Owners' Days in Photographs

Our Owners’ Days came and went with a flurry of grooming, hoof oiling, combing and parading without as much as a loose horse or a mishap. Both days went really smoothly: all the horses looked shiny, the owners seemed to have a great time sipping champagne and eating deleicious food from the caterers, who also kindly fed us stable staff too.

On the Tuesday, it was great that ex-jockey Will Kennedy rode one lot, when all the riders were in the silks. He buttoned up Monbeg Genius’ yellow with the navy diamonds and said, ‘These were one of the few colours that I never got to wear on a racecourse.’ Instead, he led the string on Monbeg Genius, who happily gave a bronc setting off at the bottom of the gallop!

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Owners' Days prep included Tirana armpit deep cleaning out a drain, the oversized 'tipi' tent, Tirana (and Doc) looking more glamourous with Impatient, the oiling of hooves, Will and Monbeg Genius, Millie and Reka and the sign of a succesful day

Solar speed signs

Over the years, O’Neill Racing has made several technological advances including an updated version of the software for a training yard and an electronic riding out board.

Then earlier in the summer, three new objects appeared on the grass verges of the gallops – two on the five furlong short and two up the mile long. The upright, silver constructions have a square screen, similar to the speed warning signs in many a Cotswold Village.

Our owner and huge supporter, Richard Evans, who currently has St Arion in training and has had success with When You're Ready, Mr Shantu and Tegerek in the past, managed the fitting of the speed monitors, or ‘solar speed signs’ to give their official title.

‘I was approached to find a reliable way to monitor horse speeds during training sessions," said Richard. ‘These installations deliver a practical way to enhance training and performance control.’

Similar to the ones on roadside, the speed flashes up like a colour coded traffic light – amber for too slow, green for the optimal speed range and red for too fast. They ensure riders are going at the ideal pace when cantering up the gallops and can kick on or take a pull when needed.

‘They are designed to be non-intrusive and the display is clear but not overly bright so horses are not spooked,’ explains Richard. Sure enough, the horses are not startled by the speedos; even the spookiest weren't phased by them in the early days. The screen that the speed is displayed on is very clear and visible in all weathers.

‘The signs use radar technology to detect the speed of moving objects, including horses, in real time,’ says Richard. ‘As a horse passes a sign, its speed is instantly displayed, allowing riders to adjust pace accordingly".

They are solar powered so there wasn’t the need to dig to lay cables or issues getting an electricity source across the estate next to the gallops.

As a rider, it's funny having your speed tracked, whereas before we always did this by 'feel'. You'd feel if you were going flat out (being run off with was pretty obvious) and too slow, and just instinctively knew which of your horses cruised at a higher speed, had a long stride versus a very short choppy stride, whereas now numbers flash up and with a glance you know if you're going the correct pace.

It's always amusing when driving past in a car to see the red numbers flash up as a warning – wouldn't it be great to have horses that fast!

Where are they now?

In the first of my new series, I will follow some of the retired racehorses who were once in training at Jackdaws Castle.

Arriverderci winning over hurdles in January 2020 at Wincanton under Jonjo Junior

Arriverderci ran in the red and green colours of Sir and Lady Broughton. I looked after him for five years from when he arrived, after being just broken in, until his retirement. 'Lucky', as I nicknamed him, was always a complete gentleman.

As is usual with greys, Lucky was once dark and dappled, and he has now lightened to a flea-bitten white. now 11, he is having the best second life with Iona Fyfe in Market Harborough Leicestershire, where he lives with a companion pony called Lily. "She's fat, little and sassy,' laughs Iona. 'My friend Brooke Young found her and Lucky so she's like my bloodstock agent!'

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How did you acquire Arrivederci? I got Lucky (literally) in October 2023. I was looking for my next hunter and Richie McLernon and his girlfriend Brooke Young recommended him to me as he was retiring due to wind problems. Richie said Lucky was a very tidy jumper, which was super important, and a lovely person. I saw one photo and I knew he was the one – he is gorgeous!

What disciplines do you do together? Hunting and a bit of team chasing.

After winning a 'junior bumper' first time our at Hereford in December 2018

What does he love to do the most? He absolutely loves hunting.

What do you love most about Arrivederci? The thrill of crossing the countryside on him and how beautiful he is to look at. He's my pride and joy.

How do you keep him so clean? He’s definitely a shade of off-white most of the time!

Iona and Lucky