Monbeg Genius: Profile, Record, Age & Best Races

Monbeg Genius is a handicap chaser trained by the great Jonjo O'Neill, who is eyeing up a tilt at the Grand National at Aintree in April.

Second in an Irish point-to-point in October 2020, Monbeg Genius ran four times over hurdles, but has thrived since switched to chasing and marked himself as a potential Grand National contender at the 2023 Cheltenham Festival.

Name: Monbeg Genius

Age: 9

Weight: 12-0

Trainer: Jonjo & AJ O'Neill

Winnings: £114,933

Cheltenham Festival wins: 0

Monbeg Genius race stats

Runs	1st	2nd	3rd
16	6	1	3

Monbeg Genius Age

Monbeg Genius is nine years old and made his debut under rules in October 2021 at Ffos Las.

Monbeg Genius Weight

Monbeg Genius ran off 12-0 in his last outing at Uttoxeter in February.

Monbeg Genius Record

Monbeg Genius finished second in his only run in a point-to-point before appearing in four novice hurdles for current trainer Jonjo O'Neill.

He won at 6/1 on his hurdles debut at Ffos Las before finishing fourth and Ascot and third at Carlisle in the sprint of 2022. Monbeg Genius won his final start over hurdles at Chepstow.

Switched to chasing ahead of the 2022/23 season, Monbeg Genius finished last of four on his debut before three novice chase wins in a row saw him sent off joint-favourite for the 2023 Ultima Handicap at the Cheltenham Festival, where he finished a credible third.

Monbeg Genius had an inconspicuous 2023/24 campaign, pulling up at Ascot on his seasonal debut before third place in a big handicap at Newbury.

He then finished fifth of seventh in Kelso's Premier Chance before pulling up on his return to the Ultima at Cheltenham.

At the start of the 2024/25 season, Monbeg Genius finished second in November at Haydock and fourth at Chepstow in December in the Welsh Grand National.

He returned to winning ways at Uttoxeter in February, winning a handicap chase race over three miles.

Monbeg Genius Next Race

Connections have yet to confirm where Monbeg Genius will feature next, but he does hold entries in the Ultima Handicap Chase, Kim Muir Challenge Cup and the Grand National.

Monbeg Genius Owner and Cost

Monbeg Genius runs under the ownership of Martin Tedham & Wasdell Properties Ltd.

The nine-year-old was previously owned by Barrowman Racing Limited and was bought for £80,000 as a wedding present for her husband by Conservative peer Michelle Mone before Monbeg Genius was sold in October 2024.

Monbeg Genius Trainer

Monbeg Genius is trained by legendary trainer Jonjo O'Neill, who, as a jockey, steered Dawn Run to success in the Champion Hurdle and Cheltenham Gold Cup.

To date Dawn Run is still the only horse to achieve the historic feat.

Since switching to training, O'Neill has trained 26 winners at the Cheltenham Festival, including 2012 Gold Cup victor Synchronised, and the winner of the 2010 Grand National, Don't Push It.

Monbeg Genius Official Rating

Monbeg Genius raced off a rating of 142 at Uttoxeter, just short of his personal best of 147 from March 2024.

Monbeg Genius Prize Money

Connections have seen Monbeg Genius win £114,933 so far in his career, with £50,329 of that coming from race wins.

Monbeg Genius News

Assistant trainer AJ O'Neill confirmed after Monbeg Genius's win at Uttoxeter that connections are still hoping for a run in the Grand National at Aintree in April.

"He's good with cut in the ground but ran a nice race at Newbury last season. We've been waiting for this day with him as the form at Cheltenham worked out well. It's great to see him get his head in front."