YOUNG JONJO STEALS SHOW
Rising star shines as Fehily retires
AS one leading rider said farewell to the sport, another young jockey cemented his reputation as a major talent at Newbury yesterday.
Jonjo O’Neill Jr did his best to steal the thunder of the retiring Noel Fehily with a sparkling double.
After a swashbuckling ride on Bon Chic in the staying chase, he then oozed confidence to steer Annie Mc to a facile success in the Grade
Two Mares Novices’ Hurdle Final.
The son of the legendary trainer and former jockey Jonjo Snr, 21, celebrated his first Cheltenham Festival winner last week on Early Doors.
He said yesterday: “I’d say riding a winner at the Cheltenham was the biggest day, but that completed my first double. It has been a great day.”
His father added: “He is going well and it is great to see that.”
Meanwhile, the popular Fehily, 43, bowed out with a winner on Get In The Queue for trainer Harry Fry.
He pushed out the 1-3 favourite to an easy success in the £50,000 bumper.
Fehily, who announced his intention to retire when winning at Cheltenham last week, has been one of the most popular members of the weighing room for 20 years.
His mount was carrying a double penalty, having already won twice, and ultimately his stamina kicked in once inside the final quarter of a mile, giving Fry a third successive win in the valuable race.
Fehily said: “I would have been very disappointed if he hadn’t won.
“He is a very good horse and he is one of the ones that I will miss riding next season.
“It is a very special day, especially have my wife and the kids here and one I won’t forget for a long time.”