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photo courtesy Chris Pitt
The son of a shoemaker, John Joe O'Neill was born in the tiny village of Castletownroche, Southern Ireland, on April 13, 1952.
Aged 16, he became apprenticed to Michael Connolly and rode his first winner, Lana, at The Curragh on September 9, 1970.
His first winner in England was Alexandra Parade at Stratford on September 23, 1972.
He twice became champion jockey but the cost was high. He broke his right leg at Bangor for the second time (1980) and was out of action for 13 months.
He won 15 races on Sea Pigeon, including the 1980 Champion Hurdle.
Jonjo rode in the Grand National eight times, never once getting round. He rode five winners from as many rides at Uttoxeter on April 19, 1978.
He is a religious man who neither smokes nor drinks. He has survived lymphatic cancer.
He became a trainer and won the 2010 Grand National with Don't Push It.
Jonjo was once in trouble for running non-triers.
He won the Cheltenham Gold Cup twice: Alverton (1979) & Dawn Run (1986).
Jonjo also won the 1976 Triumph Hurdle on Peterhof, 1974 Topham Trophy on Clear Cut, 1979 Ebor on Sea Pigeon and the 1980 Cathcart Cup on King Weasel.
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