Record point-to-point buy Jonbon off mark under rules at first time of asking

It may have been the last race from the afternoon meetings in Britain on Saturday but many eyes would still have been on the debut of Douvan's brother Jonbon at Newbury.

The Nicky Henderson-trained five-year-old made his first start under rules in the bumper at Newbury and after travelling kindly in the hands of Nico de Boinville had only to be pushed out with hands and heels in the final furlong to see off the persistent attentions of Flying Demon.

Jonbon started 5-6 favourite in the nine-runner field and this will have served only to fuel excitement that he can live up to his price tag and breeding.

Henderson, speaking to Racing TV, said: "It was lovely to see him do what he did today. He was relaxed and quickened up well.

"We can dream of what might happen next year. I think he is a bit special, and what he's done today is what you hoped you would see.

"He's a gorgeous horse, he's got the pedigree, he's got the looks. He's just something to really look forward to."

Jonbon made headlines in November when setting a record for a point-to-pointer at public auction when hammered down to JP McManus at the Goffs UK sale at Yorton Farm.

McManus, who was bidding by phone, bought the son of Walk In The Park out of Star Face from Ellmarie Holden's Coolmeen Stables.

The owner had held the record for the highest purchase for a jumps horse in training for 15 years when Garde Champetre was knocked down to Timmy Hyde for 530,000gns at Doncaster in 2004. That mark was eclipsed in 2019, when Darren Yates bought Interconnected for £620,000.

Jonbon's price of £570,000 was to be matched by another point-to-pointer the following month at the same venue, when Classic Getaway was bought by Tom Malone.

McManus has sent Henderson several of his other recent sales-toppers, including My Whirlwind, who he bought for £400,000 at the Tattersalls Cheltenham Festival Sale, a record price for a jump mare in training, while recent Cheltenham Festival hero Chantry House topped the 2018 December Sale at £295,000 and likewise was sent to Seven Barrows.

The French-bred Jonbon was the first of Douvan’s siblings to make an appearance in public when bolting up in a point-to-point at Dromahane, his only start prior to Saturday.

He is the fourth foal of Star Face – the Grade 1 superstar was her first.

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