Teenage jockey Kennedy in stunning win
Teenage riding star Jack Kennedy has once again advertised his considerable skills in the saddle by performing an acrobatic feat to stay aboard and eventually win on Robin Des Mana at Clonmel.
The Gordon Elliott-trained jumper set out to make all the running in the two-mile steeplechase on Thursday (Friday AEDT).
The six-year-old jumped the first three fences safely enough, but pitched on landing after the fourth and his race appeared to be over when Kennedy slid out of the saddle and was left clinging on.
Remarkably, Kennedy kept his composure and somehow managed to pull himself back on board and keep the partnership intact.
Robin Des Mana had lost his position, but soon found his way back to the front and got the better of a late duel with Kiera Royale to prevail by half a length.
“I was a little bit embarrassed that I got thrown out of the saddle so I said I’d better try and stay on him!” Kennedy said.
“I got shot out of the saddle. It was a silly little mistake and I thought I was gone but didn’t fancy getting galloped on.
“I was lucky the railing was there as I’d have been gone out of the race and he kept straight and that was a big help.
“I got in underneath the last (fence) and could see the other horse coming to me, but he pulled it out.”