Remarkable Jonbon lands 12th Grade 1 in Ascot Chase

Derby Sale graduate Jonbon did what Jonbon does best on Saturday, and that is deliver on the biggest stage, as he notched up a 12th Grade 1 success in the Ascot Chase.

In trademark Jonbon style, it was a display consisting of grit, courage and determination, as the ten-year-old dug deep in the home straight and fended off a persistent challenge from the runner-up to come home a length-and-a-half in front.

It was a third Grade 1 win at Ascot for Jonbon, who was adding to his success just four weeks earlier in the Grade 1 Clarence House Chase.

Jonbon was purchased at the 2019 Derby Sale from Tom Whelan’s Church View Stables by Paul Holden and Michael Shefflin for €140,000.

Incredibly, it was a 20th career success for the JP McManus-owned chaser, who in 27 career starts has never finished outside the first two placings.

He was providing trainer Nicky Henderson with a second success in the Grade 1 Ascot Chase in four years, after Derby Sale graduate Shishkin landed the contest in 2023.

Entries for the 2026 Derby Sale are now open, with the Ireland’s Premier Store Sale year after year attracting National Hunt racing’s most powerful buyers, and continues to consistently produce Grade 1 winners.