Jack Kennedy ruled out of Cheltenham Festival following surgery on broken leg
Jack Kennedy will miss the Cheltenham Festival after undergoing surgery on Monday to repair a broken leg suffered at Leopardstown.
The highs and lows of racing were epitomised in the cruellest of circumstances for Kennedy on Sunday. He won the Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup on Delta Work just 30 minutes prior to fracturing his right femur when unseated from Dallas Des Pictons in the Gaelic Plant Hire Handicap Chase.
The five-time Cheltenham festival-winning rider was taken from Leopardstown to hospital for x-rays that evening, when the fracture was confirmed.
IHRB senior medical officer Dr Jennifer Pugh said on Monday: "Jack has had surgery on his leg this morning and thankfully that went well.
"Unfortunately at this stage the timing will mean Jack will miss Cheltenham. Hopefully he should get home from hospital tomorrow."
The 20-year-old, who has an impressive 22 Grade 1 wins to his name, has now suffered four leg fractures in his short but glittering career.
He will miss out on renewing his partnership with leading Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup contender Delta Work, as well as a number of high-profile names at Prestbury Park next month.
Kennedy was out of action for two weeks last month following a procedure to remedy a scar infection from a metal plate previously inserted in his collarbone.
Falls at Down Royal last June and Punchestown last October saw him sidelined with damaged collarbones. He also missed almost a month during the summer while having surgery to repair a broken screw previously inserted in his leg.
Kennedy was out of action for 100 days when fracturing his left femur at Punchestown in May 2017.
Read more:
Delta Work reasserts authority over Gold Cup rivals
A meeting that had it all: the key takeouts from the Dublin Racing Festival
Faugheen defies statistics, logic and those who doubt our sport
Read The Lowdown from 8.00am daily on racingpost.com and the Racing Post app for all the day's going updates, news and tips
Published on inNews
Last updated
Copy- 'It’s really exciting we can connect Wentworth's story to Stubbs' - last chance to catch master painter's homecoming
- The jumps season is getting into full swing - and now is the perfect time to join Racing Post Members' Club with 50% off
- 'It's just another level' - Abbaye success kickstarts a famous week for Brightwalton Stud
- Join the same team as Ryan Moore, Harry Cobden and other top jockeys with 50% off Racing Post Members' Club
- 'Nothing positive can come out of this for racing' - Betfair founder Andrew Black issues stark warning as affordability checks come into play
- 'It’s really exciting we can connect Wentworth's story to Stubbs' - last chance to catch master painter's homecoming
- The jumps season is getting into full swing - and now is the perfect time to join Racing Post Members' Club with 50% off
- 'It's just another level' - Abbaye success kickstarts a famous week for Brightwalton Stud
- Join the same team as Ryan Moore, Harry Cobden and other top jockeys with 50% off Racing Post Members' Club
- 'Nothing positive can come out of this for racing' - Betfair founder Andrew Black issues stark warning as affordability checks come into play