No Galway return for frustrated Jack Kennedy as rider eyes return to action

The Galway festival will come too soon for leading jump jockey Jack Kennedy to make his return with the star rider now eyeing a comeback at the Listowel festival in late September having suffered a broken leg back in February.

Kennedy, who turned 21 in April and already has 22 Grade 1 wins to his name, had previously earmarked next week at Ballybrit as a possible time for his return, but the recovery from his fractured right femur has taken longer than other leg breaks he has encountered.

"I won't make it back in time for Galway," he told the Racing Post.

"The healing process has taken longer this time around so I'll see how things go when I'm back in the hospital after a week or two."

He added: "My own aim would to be back for Listowel, but I'll obviously be working on the basis of whatever advice I'm given when I'm back in for an appointment."

The highs and lows of a jump jockey's career have rarely been demonstrated in such cruel fashion as when Kennedy picked up his current injury at the Dublin Racing Festival.

Just 35 minutes on from giving Delta Work an outstanding ride to win the Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup, the hugely talented Kerry native was on the deck with a broken leg after being unseated from Dallas Des Pictons at the fourth fence in a 24-runner handicap chase.

It ended what had been an injury-plagued season for the rider having twice spent time on the sidelines last year in June and October with collarbone damage.

Apple's Jade: star mare enjoyed five Grade 1 victories and a pair of Grade 2 successes under Jack KennedyCredit: Patrick McCann

He also missed two weeks in January following a procedure to remedy scar infection from a metal plate inserted in his collarbone, as well as sitting out roughly a month last summer after surgery to repair a broken screw inserted in his leg.

"The fracture is just above the knee this time, whereas the last time I fractured my femur it was up around my hip, so maybe I was able to put weight on it sooner then," he explained.

"It's frustrating to be out but it's just one of those things that needs time. It'd be stupid to rush back earlier than I should and end up doing more damage again, so I'll see what happens after my next appointment."

Kennedy has not spent much time in Gordon Elliott's base over the course of his recovery, but will be watching the stable's runners with interest over the course of Ballybrit's seven-day bonanza.

"I haven't been up in Gordon's much lately – I think it'd only make me more anxious to get back if I did," he said.

Felix Desjy: steered to Grade 1 success by Jack Kennedy in the Betway Top Novices' Hurdle at Aintree last yearCredit: Edward Whitaker

"I'm kept busy at home with our own horses and have been able to put a few on and off the walker and things like that."

He added: "It looks like Gordon will have a strong squad for Galway and it'd be fantastic for everyone in the yard if we had a good week up there.

"Felix Desjy is entered in the Galway Hurdle and he's a classy horse for that race, although he'll have a fair bit of weight. He won very well on the Flat at Navan so you'd expect him to put up a big run all being well."

Jack Kennedy career details

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