Champion jump jockey Jack Kennedy taking time off following heavy fall at Killarney
Irish champion jump jockey Jack Kennedy is stepping away from the saddle temporarily to recover from a tail bone injury sustained at Killarney.
Irish Champion jump jockey Jack Kennedy is “giving himself time to recover” after picking up an injury less than two weeks into the 2026/27 National Hunt season at home.. The 27-year-old Dingle native , who was crowned champion rider for the second time in his career at the season ending Punchestown Festival on May 2, is currently sidelined following a fall at Killarney on Monday evening.. He sat out his intended rides at Punchestown on
Wednesday and has not been booked for any mounts on Friday or Saturday and is expected to take a short break.. His agent Kevin O’Ryan said: “He’s fine.. It’s his tail bone.. X-rays fine, (he’s) just sore.. He could ride the end of next week.. But (will) probably take a bit longer off.” Kennedy was riding the Gordon Elliott -trained Sa Fureur in the featured Grade 3 BOYLE Sports An Riocht Chase and sustained the
injury when the horse fell at the second last fence.. The nine-year-old was trailing badly and took a heavy fall.. He galloped clear unharmed but Kennedy stayed on the ground for a small amount of time afterwards.. The injury is not being treated as serious or long term and is more the culmination of a number of falls in recent weeks, he was also unseated from Lincoln Du Seuil on the Friday of Punchestown.. The
Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB) Head of Communications Niall Cronin added: “Nothing serious at all with Jack.. He’s just a bit sore after a few recent falls and giving himself time to recover but nothing serious.” Kennedy and trainer Elliott had just returned from a very successful visit to the US where they scored a double at Percy Warner Park in Tennessee on Saturday.. Famous Figure and Blue Waters both won at the venue near
Nashville, following on from another successful visit to America last autumn when Zanahiyr won the American Grand National.. Kennedy’s career has been luckless with injury and he has broken both his legs three times each, the most recent coming following a crashing fall at Fairyhouse in November 2024.. He has shown remarkable fortitude and courage to bounce back each time and his second Championship victory on May 2 was hugely popular.. It’s a busy time
of the year in Irish racing on both the flat and over jumps but there is a 12-day break for jump riders in mid-June.. Click here to sign up to our racing newsletter for the latest news and tips from the biggest meets .
Jack Kennedy, jump jockey, Killarney race, horse racing, Irish racing, Gordon Elliott