Gordon Elliott’s number one rider, Jack Kennedy, is undoubtedly one of the most talented jockeys in the sport. He is also one of the unluckiest when it comes to injuries.
Following a spectacular 2023/24 season, which saw Kennedy come out on top in a thrilling battle with Paul Townend for the Irish Jumps Jockey Championship, Kennedy had much to look forward to in 2024/25. Already sitting on 34 winners for the season, including the Grade 1 Morgiana Hurdle aboard Brighterdaysahead, Kennedy looked well placed to make a bold defence of his crown. However, he now faces an extensive spell on the sidelines.
Leg Fractured in Final Fence Fall
Kennedy’s latest misfortune came in the SIS Beginners Chase at Fairyhouse on Saturday afternoon. Taking the ride aboard Twoohthree for boss Gordon Elliott, Kennedy was fading out of contention when taking a heavy fall at the last. Tragically, that fall proved fatal for his mount, but trouble was also headed Kennedy’s way.
In a case of terrible timing, the Willie Mullins-trained O’Moore Park also fell at the final fence, with the trajectory of the tumble sending the horse on a collision course with Kennedy’s right leg, resulting in a fractured lower tibia for the stricken rider. Incredibly, this is the sixth time that Kennedy has broken a leg, despite being relatively young for a jockey at 25.
Taken to hospital following the incident, Kennedy underwent surgery on Sunday morning and offered a positive update when stating:
“The operation went well, and the surgeon was happy”, before noting that it was too soon to predict how long he would be out.
“It’s still in the early stages and I’m not sure how long I Have to completely rest it for. I have to go back to hospital for an appointment on December 17 and I’ll know a lot more then.”
Back in Time for March?
There is never a good time to suffer such an injury. However, this timing does at least give Kennedy a chance to return in time for the major spring events, headlined by the Cheltenham Festival in March. Whether that proves realistic may only be revealed following his next hospital appointment. However, if the talented rider doesn’t make it to Cheltenham, he will be a big miss.
Picking up a first Cheltenham Festival success aboard the shock Supreme Novices’ Hurdle winner Labaik in 2017, Kennedy added four more in 2018. The 2019 and 2020 festivals were blank years, but Kennedy returned with another four-winner salvo in 2021, headlined by the success of Minella Indo in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Adding the Cross Country Chase with Delta Work in 2022 and Stayers’ Hurdle with Teahupoo in 2024, Kennedy’s Cheltenham Festival tally now sits at an impressive 11.
Jack Kennedy’s Cheltenham Festival Wins (2017 to 2024)
| Year | Race | Horse |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Supreme Novices’ Hurdle | Labaik |
| 2018 | Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle | Samcro |
| 2018 | Fred Winter Juvenile Hurdle | Veneer Of Charm |
| 2018 | JLT Novices’ Chase | Shattered Love |
| 2018 | Triumph Hurdle | Farclas |
| 2021 | Mares’ Hurdle | Black Tears |
| 2021 | NH Challenge Cup | Galvin |
| 2021 | Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Handicap Chase | Mount Ida |
| 2021 | Gold Cup | Minella Indo |
| 2022 | Cross Country Chase | Delta Work |
| 2024 | Stayers’ Hurdle | Teahupoo |
Brighterdaysahead?
Receiving messages of support from all corners of the racing industry, the vast pool of talent at his disposal may serve as an additional motivating factor in his recovery. When asked to name the horse he is most looking forward to teaming up with again, Kennedy wasted little time in coming to a decision:
“There are loads of lovely horses at Gordon’s, but I suppose Brighterdaysahead is the main one.”
Becoming the first horse to master State Man at Punchestown when landing the Morgiana Hurdle, the five-year-old mare is well fancied for both the Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle and the Champion Hurdle. If providing Kennedy with a big race winner on his comeback from yet another injury, she will certainly be aptly named.
