John McConnell

Last year was a big one for John McConnell. He fulfilled a lifelong ambition when Seddon won a race at the Cheltenham festival. That bargain buy went on to win at the Punchestown festival before bringing the trainer to the American Grand National at Far Hills.  Fennor Cross was another horse to fly the flag for the stable with great distinction. Again, a cheaply-bought recruit, Fennor Cross won races at the Punchestown and Aintree festivals.  However, in what came as a bitter blow to all associated with the horse, Fennor...

John McConnell is gearing Seddon (Ire) (Stowaway {GB}) up for a tilt at the American Grand National, a race that was plundered by another Irish challenger 12 months back when Hewick (Ire) (Virtual {GB}) stormed to a memorable victory. Seddon has been nothing short of a revelation for McConnell. Successful in the Plate at the Cheltenham festival, Seddon made it a spring to remember when following up over hurdles at the Punchestown Festival. Owned by the Galaxy Horse Racing Syndicate, which has been a long-term supporter of the McConnell stable...

Hypersonic Missile (Califet) went to trainer John McConnell for £34,000 at the ThoroughBid Spring Sale Thursday. The 4-year-old gelding, a Point-to-Point winner on debut, was consigned by Maddie Hand. "With Irish Point-to-Points being so hard to buy out of, you have to go elsewhere," said McConnell. "This is a nice horse who ticks the boxes and has plenty left in the tank. He could be anything and I'm glad to have found him in the Spring Sale." A total of 16 of 19 lots sold for an 84% clearance rate....

CHELTENHAM, UK--It always pays to take note of past Festival form, as exemplified by the winners of Wednesday's two big races, Envoi Allen (Fr) (Muhtathir {Fr}) and Sire Du Berlais (Fr) (Poliglote {GB}). They had respectively made four and five previous appearances at Cheltenham in March, with Envoi Allen having won the G1 Weatherbys Champion Bumper and G1 Ballymore Novices' Hurdle prior to his emotional return to the winner's circle after the G1 Ryanair Chase, completing the full set of top-level Festival wins in three different spheres. The 11-year-old Sire...

John McConnell's A Case Of You (Ire) (Hot Streak {Ire}), who  improved off an Aug. 26 debut third at Bellewstown to garner a Sept. 4 Down Royal maiden last time, stepped forward to claim a career high in Sunday's rescheduled G3 Jebel Ali Racecourse & Stables Anglesey S. at The Curragh. The well-backed 6-1 chance, who also 'won' a July 29 Dundalk barrier trial, powered forward from a mainly level break to race on the front end after the initial steps of this black-type bow. Coming under pressure soon after...