The term ‘what could’ve been’ is synonymous with an injury stricken Jack Wilshere, who was destined for the higher echelons of the British footballing ranks. His racing namesake, Jack Kennedy, is a similar mould in the sense that despite him chiseling a career many jockeys could only dream of, his roll of honour would single handedly fund the ink cartridge industry had it not been for his luckless run of injuries in the saddle. The 25-year-old broke his leg for the sixth time at Fairyhouse last year among other blows, with a mind-blowing 4.73% of his rides seeing him hit the deck.
They don’t come harder than jump jockeys though, with the youngest winning Gold Cup jockey in the modern era coming back time and time again to prove his admirable grit and determination. Under the watchful guise of Gordon Elliott, Jack Kennedy plunged into the limelight when winning the £100,000 Troytown Chase on his first start over fences, completing the middle leg of a memorable treble in the process. Kennedy was just 16 when he won his first Grade 1, recording his 100th winner already in the saddle.
The then 17-year-old didn’t have to wait long until his first Cheltenham Festival winner when partnering the perplexing Labaik to land the Supreme Novice Hurdle at 25/1, beating Ruby Walsh on the favourite Melon in the process. The wonder boy ran riot on Prestbury Park the following season, completing a four timer with Samcro, Shattered Love, Farclas and fiveneer Of Charm. After firing a blank in 2019 and missing the 2020, Kennedy rattled home another quadruple with Black Tears, Galvin, Mount Ida, and most notably of all, he became the youngest winning jockey of the modern era when landing the Cheltenham Gold Cup with Minella Indo.
It’s certainly not been plain sailing for the Cullentra inmate since, with just three winners in the form of Delta Work (twice in the Cross Country) and Teahupoo, but this talented prodigy is destined for further Festival glory now given the all clear from his most recent setback.
Kennedy’s forte lies over the longer distances, with his record over 3m or further reading 5-17 (£7+), whereas his record over 2m5f or shorter reading 1-37 (£25-). His overall record at Cheltenham reads 96-12-27, with a profit margin of £18.81 to a £1 stake.
Brighterdaysahead as Kennedy Given the All-Clear
The pain barrier knows no threshold when there’s a ride of this calibre available. The daughter of Kapgarde has rapidly become regarded as one of the best mares there’s been, notching up three Grade 1s in her last four starts since a painful defeat for punters in the Dawn Run. Her initial victory over State Man was tinted with the current champ perhaps not being at his best, but there was little doubt she’s a high class mare having bolted up thirty lengths in the Nevills Hotel G1 at Leopardstown, travelling effortlessly o a break neck pace and drawing away at the line, with her pacemaker beaten thirty eights lengths and finishing only seven behind State Man, suggesting it was a performance of the highest of calibres. Brighterdaysahead faces her toughest task yet in the form of one of the all time greats, but the fact they’re entertaining the Champion Hurdle as opposed to the Mares tells you exactly how much they think of her, to which Jack Kennedy has never hid his admiration.
Romeo Romeo, Where Art Thou Romeo
Eight years on from his youthful success with Labaik in the Supreme, Kennedy bids to repeat that feat on Romeo Coolio, with Elliott already jocking him up for the ride despite Sam Ewing’s consistent efforts in the saddle. The Kayf Tara gelding was an eye-catcher in the Supreme last season when a staying-on fifth, before bolting up eighteen length over hurdlers on seasonal debut. He put behind him a disappointing second at 1/2F in the Royal Bond when a nine length winner in a Leopardstown G1, and while he isn’t particularly anything ashy, he shapes as if a strongly run Supreme would suit.
Gigginstown Glory In The Ultima
The Ultima is a race that tends to escape the Irish, but Kennedy’s knack for winning three mile contests shouldn’t be taken lightly when considering Search For Glory in the Ultima. Though he’s come up short in two attempts in the Albert Bartlett, he’s taken to fences with aplomb this season beating Sa Majesty at Galway, before going down by a head to Stellar Story in the Florida Pearl and running a good race from the front behind Impaire Et Passe in the Faugheen Novices’ Chase over an inadequate 2m3f. The step back up in distance should suit, and he lurks on a handy mark of 143 for one already proven himself in graded company over fences.
Gordon Elliott is bringing an army of challengers across the Irish Sea this Festival, and the availability of his star stable jockey will only bolster the chances of his squad. For Jack Kennedy, Teahupoo remains his most likely winner of the meeting in the Stayers’ providing the ground doesn’t dry out too much, and with the adrenaline of a return to action on the biggest stage in the sport, Kennedy wont go down without a fight to better his record of four winners in a single Festival.