KENNEDY SCOOPS BIGGEST WIN OF FLEDGLING CAREER

IT’S unnerving to think Jack Kennedy’s only 17.

Nothing in sport excites as much as the emergence of fresh talent, and the young Dingle jockey has electrified national hunt horse racing.

Already the toast of the old game’s respected personalities, Kennedy’s young career has matured at a bracing pace. A triple-champion on the Irish pony racing scene, the West Kerry phenomenon has been equally impressive since graduating to the professional ranks in mid2015. But while it’s barely been a year-and-a-half since his first winner, 99 more have followed, and, fittingly, Kennedy’s 100th win was his most important.

“It’s a dream come true to win my first Grade One race,” Kennedy told The Kerryman after guiding the Gordon Elliot-trained Outlander to victory in the prestigious Lexus Chase at Leopardstown last week.

The three-mile chase is the blue-riband of Irish racing’s hectic Christmas schedule, but Kennedy’s coolness in the closing stages contradicted the enormity of the occasion. His mount was one of four in contention after clearing the last fence, but the Gigginstown-owned 11-1 shot finished stronger than Willie Mullins’ Djakadam and stablemates Don Poli and Valseur Lido.

“I’d just like to thank Gordon [Elliot] and Gigginstown for giving me this opportunity,” a modest Kennedy said. “I can’t describe what it means to me. As I said, it’s a dream come true!”

While you don’t need to be a racing enthusiast to be wise to Kennedy’s talent, the teenager has still had to graft to get this far this quickly. His brother, DJ, this week emphasised the point:

“He’s always had a great work ethic, even from a very young age,” DJ said.“It’s not that long since he was juggling horses with school. He used to get up early to ride out horses, and he’d come home from school and do the same; it’s great it’s paying off.”

DJ thought it apt that his brother earned his 100th winner in one of the season’s top chases:

“It’s remarkable he’s reached 100 winners at his age, but to do it on such a big occasion adds to the moment.”

Dingle Jockey Jack Kennedy (stormed to his 100th career win last week.