Kennedy secures top title

Kennedy secures top title

11 October 2023

JOCKEY Jack Kennedy had a day to remember at Downpatrick on Friday.

The 24 year-old, who has had more than his share of injuries, recorded his 500th winner and a double on the day saw him snatch the course’s leading jockey of the year title with a total of six winners, pipping Keith Donoghue and Patrick Mullins, who both finished with five.

Both of Jack’s winners were for his boss, Gordon Elliott, whose tally of 14 winners once again made him champion trainer at the course.

The duo got off the mark in the opening Northern Ireland On-Course Bookmakers Association Maiden Hurdle and Kennedy had no trouble hitting the 500 mark as his mount, Yeats Star, came home well clear of Talk in the Park for the Mags and Danny Mullins combination, with Charming Fortune back in third. SP: 2/1 fav, 9/2, 9/4.

The double came in the C Russell Auto Sales Beginners Chase with Jenny Flex, in the well-known Robcur colours, proving too good in the closing stages for Elliott’s second runner in the race, Zettabyte, ridden by Jordan Gainford. Running a good race to finish third was the Colin McBratney-trained Cocoplum, ridden by Adrian Heston, who is now based back in Ireland. SP: 9/2, 25/1, 11/1.

The only local winner of the day came in the J Murdoch Contracts Handicap Hurdle in which Neil McCluskey, the Dromara owner, breeder and trainer, saddled two runners, Wee Jerry, ridden by Ben Kennedy, and Moneyabane, ridden by Philip Byrnes.

Wee Jerry set out to make all the running and still held he call at the final flight, but on the climb to the winning post he was headed by Moneyabane, who went on to record a maiden success. Back in third was the 15/8 favourite, Mr Social.

It was a nice boost for McCluskey, who earlier in the week was fined £3,250 and had his licence suspended after his horse, I Don’t Get It, a winner at the course in April, was disqualified.

McCluskey confirmed that he is to make an appeal. SP: 9/2, 121/1, 15/8 fav.

The McGrady Financial Services Novice Handicap Hurdle saw the tall Eamonn Fitzgerald record the third success of his career when Butchill, trained in Kildare by Peter Fahy, got home in a close finish over Starman, ridden by James O’Sullivan, with recent course winner Fanthom Two, owned by Newry’s Donal Boyle, back in third. SP: 11/4, 4/1, 7/4 fav.

Waterford trainer John Morrison’s journey paid off when Sea the Sunset, with Shane Fitzgerald in the saddle, won the Racing TV Handicap Hurdle in smooth fashion over Skip Mahler, which was Rachel Blackmore’s only ride on the day. Third was Fassbender. SP: 12/1, 7/2, 11/4.

Champion jockey Paul Townend also had only one ride and his mount, Nt Field Minnesota, trained by Willie Mullins, was the way winner of the INH Stallion Owners EBF Maiden Hurdle.

Kansas City Star, for the Kennedy-Elliott combination, was second and well adrift in third came local hope Marronstown. Mullins also won this race last year. SP: 3/1, 15/8 fav.

Greenway Machine proved to be the final winner of the year at the track in the Toals Bookmakers Handicap Chase. Ridden by Cian Cullinan and trained by Helen Markham, it won from the Elliott-trained Reddy’s Island and long-time leader Definitely Darsi. SP: 17/2, 7/2, 7/1. This was Cullinan’s first success at Downpatrick.

As this was the final meeting of the year, a presentation was made to retiring course manager Richard Lyttle in recognition of the great job he has done for the past 13 years. The next meeting will take place on April 7. The Route point-to-point takes place this Saturday at Portrush.

Downpatrick trainer Paddy Turley and his stable jockey, Deckie Lavery, made a good start to the point-to-point season when Lecale Way won the final race at the Westmeath season last Sunday in Mary Turley’s colours.

Newry owner/trainer Pat Collins got off the cold list at the recent Fairyhouse meeting when Leah’s Tricks, ridden by Danny Mullins, won the opening maiden hurdle. Pat missed the race as he was on holiday in Spain.