|
Jonjo
O'Neill breaks world record at Perth
The
world and its auntie descended on Perth that day to watch one of
the most joyous occasions experienced at any racecourse anywhere
on earth. They had come in their thousands in the hope of witnessing
history being made. Jonjo O'Neill, arguably one of the bravest jockeys
ever to don silks had only the day before at Perth ridden his 124th
winner of the season, bringing him within one of Ron Barry's five
year old record. Could this be the greatest day of the popular young
Irishman's life?
Quite apart from the huge crowd that had assembled, media interest
was frenzied to say the least. It seemed that every national newspaper
was represented and both ITV and BBC and television crews in place.
If this was putting pressure on Jonjo he didn't let it show, and
proceeded to entertain the assemblage with one of the most memorable
displays of his long and distinguished career.
The day started with a bang and just got better.
Jonjo's first ride was on Wilf Crawford's Besciamella , not terribly
well fancied but still raging home a fine 7 length victor.
That equalled the record and the tension now became unbearable.
The temperature in the weighing room rose by a few degrees and the
champagne was put on ice.
Jonjo's mount in the Handicap Hurdle Race, Majetta Crescent was
only in the race because his owner Jimmy Jack lived nearby. Trainer
Peter Easterby had been planning to take the horse to Carlisle the
following week. But really, fairy stories are made of things like
this and just as the Hollywood script writers would have liked it
Jonjo steered his mount home to the sort of welcome that could only
have been bettered had he been at home in his native County Cork.
Absolute bedlam broke out with television crews and cameramen flying
in all directions., trying to get shots of the action. Never short
of words Jonjo was talking ten to the dozen , and had it not been
for his back protector would probably have dislocated his shoulder
from all the back slapping he had to endure.
Celebrations were cut short however as the call went out for the
next race.
Three further winners in the shape of Crofton Hall, Father Delaney
and the unfancied Tiger Feet in the last rounded off a quite remarkable
day, five winners from five rides and entering the record books
to boot. The crowds dispersed in a quite mesmerised state, not quite
taking in the reality of having seen a slice of history being made.
Jonjo has made many appearances at Perth since that remarkable day
both as a jockey and as a trainer, but in his own words " that
day was the most memorable in my racing life.
|
