The Part-Timers of Jackdaws Castle - Part 2

As well our team of full time staff, the yard has a small band of part-timers who ride out, either at weekends or in the week. They all have other careers or jobs but have become a much loved part of the mornings...

Despite being born and bred in Naunton in the Cotswolds, Ryan Newhook didn’t have a horsey childhood and only got into riding horses through his wife, Lucy. In the past, she worked for trainers such as Brian Doran, Emma Bishop, David Wintle and Nigel Twiston-Davies, where she did Knowhere in his early years and rode in point-to-points. Even though Lucy is out of the racing game nowadays, her love of riding and hunting has rubbed off onto Ryan, 39, and he is keen as mustard. ‘I didn’t sit on a horse until I met Lucy. She had Spanish Main when he retired from racing, which would have been in about 2008 so I was a late starter,’ says Ryan.

In the past, as well as Spanish Main, Lucy and Ryan have owned several other ex-racehorses: Its Crucial, Mont Royale, Splash Of Ginge and now Soaring Glory (pictured). There’s an irony that ‘Ginge’ and Soaring Glory both won a Betfair Hurdle at Newbury, in 2014 and 2021 respectively. As well as Soaring Glory, the Newhook family own two ponies called Bert and Midi and a Shetland called Jade, plus three dogs, Darla, Lily and Frankel the French Bulldog, a few fish and some ducks. Ryan and Lucy live in Naunton with their fifteen-year-old daughter Flo, also keen rider, and son Barney, 12, who is a talented cricketer.

Ryan’s ‘real’ job is the  director of a building and joinery company, Oak Tree Renovations.

Ryan and Lucy on their wedding day in 2015

Who influenced you did you get into riding? Lucy had always ridden racehorses and worked in racing when I met her. I’d often help muck out and feed on my way to and from work, but it took a few years until I actually got on a horse. I started on Spanish Main, who was a bit stubborn but, looking back, was a pretty safe starting point!

Who influenced you did you get into racing? Joe O’Neill from Jonjo’s! I was playing football with Joe, Splash Of Ginge had been lame for a while so I wasn’t riding, and he suggested I pop up to Jackdaws and ride out one morning. That was five years ago now!

Have you ever ridden in a race? I rode in the IJF Charity Race at Newbury on Lockinge day back in May 2022. I rode Powerful Hero, and he was an absolute legend on the day, well behaved and got us around safely. We didn’t win, but we raised £7500, which was the second highest amount made for the charity! The best thing about it was getting a leg up in the parade ring – the thrill was incredible with hundreds of people around us.

Has racing ever taken you abroad? Yes, to the Punchestown Festival but watching only!

Have you ever owned any racehorses? Over the years, our business has been part of a couple of Syndicates. We’ve been pretty lucky with a few runners at the Cheltenham Festival. Treaty Girl was the first and we now have a horse called Jigs Forge.

Favourite racehorses: I was lucky in that when I started having an interest in racing, horses like Denman and Kauto Star were around, then moving onto Sprinter Sacre and seeing him regain his Champion Chase crown at the Cheltenham Festival was pretty special! More up to date, I now like watching Jonbon; I’m not sure he gets the credit he deserves and he’s fantastic to watch!

Favourite racecourses: Punchestown for its relaxed atmosphere is really enjoyable, whilst closer to home, we’ve had a few enjoyable days at Chepstow!

Favourite meeting: It has to be the Cheltenham Festival. I really dislike how busy it is, but if you are lucky enough to get up out of the crowds, the atmosphere is pretty amazing.

Favourite jockey: Ruby Walsh, even if it were just for his Paddy Power adverts!

What is the best aspect to riding out at O’Neill Racing? It’s a complete change from my day-to-day job so its never a chore having to get up, come and ride out. When you have an interest in racing anyway, it's easy to dip into riding out on a weekly basis.

What is the worst aspect to riding out at O’Neill Racing? It’s a pretty cold place some mornings!

What has been your favourite ride this season? Wreckless Eric; he’s got a bit of character about him!

Ryan, Flo and Barney at Ascot Racecourse

Best advice you’ve been given about riding racehorses: Don’t trust any of them!

Favourite meal: Classic sausage and mash.

Favourite drink: A latte.

Favourite snack: Biscuits.

Favourite holiday destination: Spain.

Favourite TV program: Silent Witness.

Favourite music: Any 90s classics!

Ideal night out: A meal out with the family at a nice pub!