Flying colours - Sea Pigeon silks set to be back at Cheltenham for Jonjo O'Neill

Sea Pigeon and Jonjo O'Neill jump the last alongside Monksfield in the 1979 Champion HurdleCredit: Gerry Cranham (Cranhamphoto.com)

Jonjo O'Neill is looking forward to rolling back the years with a fancied runner in the Sea Pigeon colours at Cheltenham on Friday.

It was at the home of jump racing 40 years ago that O'Neill scored one of the most memorable victories of his riding career when landing the Champion Hurdle on the top-class dual-purpose horse, whom he also rode to a thrilling success in the Ebor at York in 1979.

Jonjo O'Neill and Sea Pigeon win the 1979 Ebor at York

The trainer's wife Jacqui bought owner Pat Muldoon's colours to give to O'Neill as a present and they were worn by his son Jonjo Jr when he rode in pony races.

Read the full story

Read award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing, with exclusive news, interviews, columns, investigations, stable tours and subscriber-only emails.

Subscribe to unlock

Racing Post digital newspaper (worth over £100 per month)
Award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing
Expert tips from the likes of Tom Segal and Paul Kealy
Replays and results analysis from all UK and Irish racecourses
Form study tools including the Pro Card and Horse Tracker
Extensive archive of statistics covering horses, trainers, jockeys, owners, pedigree and sales data

Already a subscriber?Log in

David CarrReporter

Published on 8 December 2020inNews

Last updated 18:06, 8 December 2020

Copy