Top owner announces shock split with jockey and confirms daughter will take new role in family operation
TOP horse owner Max McNeill has announced a shock split with his No1 jockey and racing manager.
And he has confirmed his daughter Ella will take more hands-on role in the family operation.
The McNeill family, who run Ultima Business Solutions, are among the biggest and most popular owners in the game.
Some of their top horses include Cesarewitch winner Grumeti, Marsh Hurdle hero The Worlds End and serial winner Threeunderthrufive.
Adrian Heskin has exclusively ridden the latter, but McNeill said he will no longer be his go-to jockey.
The owner said his decision was based on money at a time when everyone is having to cut back.
He also cut ties with racing manager Iain Turner.
McNeill said: “It was a difficult decision, Iain and Adrian are very good friends but in current times everybody has to look at their finances.
OFFERS OF THE DAY
Bet UK: Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Bets and Bonuses – CLAIM HERE
William Hill: Bet £10 Get £40 in Free Bets (MOBILE ONLY)* – CLAIM HERE
Betfair: Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Bets – CLAIM HERE
Paddy Power: Bet £20 and get it back as Cash if it Loses – CLAIM HERE
Sky Bet: Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Horse Racing Bets – CLAIM HERE
Bet UK: New customers only. 7 days to deposit and stake £10 minimum bet at odds of 1.5 or greater to qualify. Max 3x £10 free bets credited on bet settlement. Free bets must be used on 4 or more selections with selection odds of 1.3 or greater. Free bets non-withdrawable and stake not returned with winnings. 7 day expiry. 18+ BeGambleAware.org.
William Hill – 18+. Pla18+. Play Safe. When you sign-up via Mobile using promo code N40 and place a bet of £10/€10 or more we will give you 4x £10/€10 free bets credited after settlement of first qualifying bet, free bets will expire 30 days after the qualifying bet is placed, payment method/player/country restrictions apply. begambleaware.org
Betfair – New Customer offer. Place a min £10 bet on the Sportsbook on odds of min 1/2 (1.5), get £30 in Free Bets. Rewards valid for 30 days. SMS verification required. Only deposits via cards will qualify. T&Cs apply. Please Gamble Responsibly 18+ begambleaware.org
Paddy Power: New customers only. Place your FIRST bet on any sportsbook market and if it loses we will refund your stake in CASH. Max refund for this offer is £20. Only deposits made using Cards or Apple Pay will qualify for this promotion. T&Cs apply. Paddy’s Rewards Club: Get a £10 free bet when you place 5x bets of £10+. T&Cs apply. 18+ Begambleaware.org
Sky Bet: 18+NEW CUSTOMERS ONLY. FIRST SINGLE & E/W BET ONLY ODDS OF 1/1 OR GREATER. 3 X £10 BET TOKENS. FREE BET STAKES NOT INCLUDED IN RETURNS. FREE BETS ONLY REDEEMABLE ON HORSE RACING. FREE BETS ARE NON WITHDRAWABLE. NO FREE BET EXPIRY. ELIGIBILITY RESTRICTIONS AND FURTHER T&CS APPLY. 18+ Begambleaware.org
“For me, racing is a hobby, it’s a passion, but it was a pragmatic financial decision.
“I want to stay in racing for the longer term and perhaps I have to go a couple of steps back to take it forward.
“It will simplify things a bit, with me having more direct contact with the trainers and my daughter Ella can help with some of the admin tasks.
“She runs Chelsea Thoroughbreds and is doing a bit of stuff for Racing TV as well.”
Ella has been starring alongside Man City’s Match Day Live reporter Natalie Pike for Racing TV’s Raceday TV service.
She is also National Hunt racing manager for Chelsea Thoroughbreds, a syndicate which also boasts former TV presenter Emma Spencer.
McNeill added that he is still committed to racing and that trimming the fat a bit was just part and parcel of being an owner.
He added: “I’m fully committed to racing – this is just rationalisation.
“Everyone is looking at costs, the cost of living’s gone up, interests rates haven’t helped.
“You can’t carry on the way you are and it was a bloody difficult decision.”