Who Is Jack Kennedy? All You Need To Know About The Young Jockey

Jack Kennedy is one of the most exciting young talents in horse racing at present, having already picked up 10 Cheltenham winners despite being in his early-20s.

He’s always one to watch and the next few years are going to be huge for the National Hunt rider. We’re always keeping an eye on him in the horse racing betting markets, and if you’re looking to know a little more about the Irishman, then he’s a run down of his career so far…

 

Jack Kennedy’s Career So Far

Jack Kennedy is from County Kerry and burst onto the scene back in 2015, graduating from the pony racing circut, and going on to predominantly work with Gordon Elliott.

However, it was with Henry de Bromhead in which he made history though, becoming the youngest jockey to ever win the Cheltenham Gold Cup, aged just 21.

He has been picking up winners for many years already though, riding his first in 2015 in Cork on just his seventh ride.

His first win over the fences came in the Ladbrokes Troytown Handicap Chase on Riverside City, the middle leg of his first treble.

Kennedy’s first win at Cheltenham came when he was 17-years-old, winning the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle in 2017 on Labaik, which was the start of a fruitful relationship with the festival.

The following year he picked up four winners, matching Davy Russell, the week’s leading rider. It was in 2021 when he secured his biggest win to date though, riding Minella Indo to victory in the Gold Cup.

 

Jack Kennedy’s Big Wins

Kennedy has already earned himself a reputation as one of horse racing’s stars, and has had a number of notable rides both at Cheltenham and a number of big meets in Ireland. Below you’ll find some of his biggest achievements, with many more still to come for the young rider…

 

Jack Kennedy’s Cheltenham Winners

Cheltenham has been a happy hunting ground for Kennedy so far in his career, riding 10 winners since his debut, his first coming back in 2017. He missed the 2020 festival through injury, but returned in 2021 with a bang, not only winning the Gold Cup, but also three other races.

2017:

• Supreme Novices’ Hurdle – Labaik

2018:

• Baring Bingham Novices’ Hurdle – Samcro
• Triumph Hurdle – Farclas
• Golden Miller Novices’ Hurdle – Shattered Love
• Fred Winter Juvenile Novices’ Handicap Hurdle – Veneer of Charm

2021:

• Cheltenham Gold Cup – Minella Indo
• David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle – Black Tears
• National Hunt Chase Challenge Cup – Galvin
• Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup – Mount Ida

2022:

• Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase – Delta Work

 

UK Major Wins

In the last three or four years, Kennedy has picked up some thrilling wins, including at the Grand National Festival, but the big one has yet to find him.

• Aintree Hurdle – Abacadabras (2021)
• Top Novices’ Hurdle – Felix Desjy (2019)

 

Ireland Major Wins

It’s in Ireland where the native does most of his winning, and for such a young age his list of wins is quite breathtaking, including three wins in the Hatton’s Grace Hurdle and a win in the Irish Gold Cup back in 2020 on Delta Work.

• Irish Gold Cup – Delta Work (2020)
• Irish Champion Hurdle – Apple’s Jade (2019)
• Ladbrokes Champion Chase – Outlander (2017)
• Morgiana Hurdle – Abacadabras (2020)
• Royal Bond Novice Hurdle – Mengli Khan (2017), Ballyadam (2020)
• Drinmore Novice Chase – Envoi Allen (2020), Mighty Potter (2022)
• Hatton’s Grace Hurdle – Apple’s Jade (2017,2018), Teahupoo (2022)
• Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle – Abracadabras (2019), Mighty Potter (2021)
• Christmas Hurdle (Ireland) – Apple’s Jade (2018,2019)
• Savills Chase – Delta Work (2019), Conflated (2022)
• Slaney Novice Hurdle – Death Duty (2017), Battleoverdoyen (2019), Ginto (2022)
• Golden Cygnet Novice Hurdle – Commander of Fleet (2019)
• Chanelle Pharma Novice Hurdle – Samcro (2018)
• Alanna Homes Champion Novice Hurdle – Dortmund Park (2018)
• Fort Leney Novice Chase – Fury Road (2021)
• Bective Stud Champion Novice Hurdle – Mighty Potter (2022)

 

Back Jack Kennedy with That’s A Goal

There’s a big future ahead for Jack Kennedy, with him Gordon Elliott’s leading rider these days. A host of winners are certain to follow and you’ll be able to find all the latest odds on Kennedy and his runners right here at That’s A Goal.

We provide tips each and every day, as well as collating all the latest pundit tips, with even more in-depth analysis and coverage across the Cheltenham and the Grand National festivals.

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