A SWINDON-BASED business that manufactures and packages supplies for the pharmaceutical industry has become the sole sponsor of a leading racehorse trainer.

Wasdell Group, which employs 850 people in Swindon, has just picked up the reins as the top supporter of Jonjo O’Neill Racing.

Chairman Martin Tedham has had horses at the trainer’s home at Jackdaws Castle in Cheltenham for many years and shares Jonjo’s love of national hunt racing.

He said: “Jonjo’s outstanding determination and performance in all he does is admirable, and Wasdell is delighted to be part of that story.

“This partnership reflects the drive by both organisations towards achieving excellence and innovation in our own fields.

“Jonjo’s passion for excellence reflects the values of my own group of companies.

“We are very proud that Wasdell’s distinctive livery will be seen on horse boxes and will be worn by the Jackdaws team and the horses at home and at the races.”

Jonjo is a former champion jockey and trainer of the winners of a series of high-profile races, including the Cheltenham Gold Cup and Grand National.

He said: “Everyone at Jackdaws Castle is looking forward to our association with the Wasdell Group which opens a new chapter for us all.

“Wasdell’s dynamism and can-do attitude sits well with our own ethos.

“We continually strive to improve our facilities here and have been building up a team of talented young horses to take the place of some of our now retired heroes. There’s lots to keep the pulse racing.”

Wasdell Group completed its £33 million European headquarters in Dundalk, Ireland this year and reassured its employees that it will still be staying in Swindon.

The group will move its technical division that designs and manufactures commercial tooling from Blagrove to the Groundwell Industrial Estate in October.

The Adver understands that the group will then transfer all the work from two buildings it currently leases in Europa Park to the same premises in Groundwell next summer.

The leases for all three buildings are coming to an end and Wasdell will not renew them.