Jack Kennedy must be one of the unluckiest jockeys around and is currently nursing another broken leg back to health. It was obvious from very early on that he was a natural horseman and an incredibly, incredibly talented jockey.
Jack Kennedy: 5 Greatest Cheltenham Festival Winners
Gordon Elliott’s stable jockey has amassed a total of 12 Cheltenham Festival winners already despite his numerous injury problems. Some of those were far from straightforward rides though so we’ve picked out five of his best.
Jack Kennedy Cheltenham Winners: Labaik (Supreme 2017)
Simply getting this horse to race was an achievement in itself and the strong-willed grey refused to race in the Royal Bond and the Navan Novice Hurdle earlier on in the season. It’s fair to say that he didn’t look like a Supreme winner going into the race and the 25/1 odds echo that sentiment.
Everything went smoothly at Cheltenham, however, as he was on his best behaviour. Held up in the early stages, Kennedy’s mount hit the front in the final furlong and quickened nicely up the hill, eventually scoring by two-and-a-quarter-lengths from the perennial Cheltenham bridesmaid Melon.
Jack Kennedy Cheltenham Winners: Teahupoo (Stayers’ Hurdle 2024)
The 2023 Stayers’ Hurdle was Teahupoo’s to lose, yet somehow Gordon Elliott’s gelding could only manage third. This son of Masked Marvel simply had to set the record straight the following year, and he did just that with Kennedy on board.
Ridden more handily this time around, he overcame a slight error at the second-last flight to recover his momentum and quickly got himself to the front. The result was never in doubt from that point on and he powered clear to score by just shy of four lengths.
Jack Kennedy Chelts Winners: Galvin (2021 NH Chase)
Sometimes, you’re just on the best horse in the race, and when that’s the case, it often pays to keep things simple. Kennedy gave Galvin the perfect ride with that in mind and the gelding was definitely a graded horse in a handicap.
He had plenty in hand and the winning margin of a length-and-a-half probably wasn’t an accurate reflection of his dominance on the day. Kennedy’s measured and assured ride was a good example of how much natural ability he possesses and the first leg of a double on the day.
Jack Kennedy Chelts Winners: Delta Work (XC Chase 2022)
This was an interesting race as many of the racegoers wanted stablemate and two-time Grand National winner Tiger Roll to win and there was a disappointed atmosphere once Delta Work crossed the line in front of the crowd favourite.
There was the added difficulty that both horses shared the same owner and it was a thoroughly professional display from Kennedy, who never shied away from his responsibility to give Delta Work the best chance of winning.
Jack Kennedy Chelts Winners: Minella Indo (Gold Cup 2021)
The Cheltenham Gold Cup is the pinnacle of National Hunt racing and it’s the one race that every owner, trainer and jockey is desperate to win. Kennedy will be delighted to have ticked that one off the list before his 22nd birthday.
Minella Indo had three previous Gold Cup winners in behind and stamina won him the day. Henry de Bromhead’s gelding was given the perfect ride by Kennedy and the then eight-year-old managed to hold off A Plus Tard, who went on to win the race a year later.
By Tom Hill
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