Jack Kennedy takes coveted champion jockey title as National Hunt champions are crowned at Punchestown
Saturday, May 04, 2024
.jpg?ext=.jpg "Jack Kennedy takes coveted champion jockey title as National Hunt champions are crowned at Punchestown")
Jack Kennedy’s success in the jockeys’ championship was only confirmed this afternoon after a thrilling duel with Paul Townend . Photo Tom Maher INPHO
The full roll of honour for the 2023/2024 National Hunt season was confirmed at Punchestown this afternoon with Jack Kennedy joining JP McManus, Willie Mullins, Danny Gilligan, Patrick Mullins and Jody Townend as the season’s champions.
Horse Racing Ireland Chief Executive, Suzanne Eade, said: “It has come down to the final day of the season but we now have our six champions confirmed and many congratulations to JP, Willie, Jack, Danny, Patrick and Jody. Jack and Paul served up a thrilling finale to the jockeys’ championship and their tussle certainly added to the excitement of the concluding weeks of the season. I recognise that there are many thousands working behind the scenes and away from the limelight, and I thank them so much for their efforts that keeps the show on the road.”
Jack Kennedy’s success in the jockeys’ championship was only confirmed this afternoon after a thrilling duel with Paul Townend who was aiming for a seventh title.
The champions for the 2023/2024 National Hunt season are:
Champion Owner: JP McManus
Champion Trainer: Willie Mullins
Champion Jockey: Jack Kennedy
Champion Conditional: Danny Gilligan
Champion Amateur: Patrick Mullins
Champion Lady Amateur: Jody Townend
Commenting on his first jockeys’ championship success, Jack Kennedy said: “It’s an unbelievable feeling to have won the championship. Paul got close enough in recent weeks to give me loads of sleepless nights but I’m delighted to have hung on. I’ve had a great 12 months, leading the championship for much of the way and riding over 100 winners in a season for the first time in my career. There was loads of great days and riding Grade 1 winners in Ireland on such good horses as Gerri Colombe, Teahupoo, Farren Glory, Found A Fifty, Caldwell Potter and Irish Point was very special. I can’t thank Gordon (Elliott), all the staff at Cullentra and his owners enough for the support they have given me. Thanks to my agent Kevin O’Ryan for getting me plenty of outside rides and winners this season - I really appreciate the opportunities from those trainers. I also have to give special thanks to Dr Jennifer Pugh, her medical team and my surgeon Paddy Kenny for all their expert medical care and looking after me so well over the last few years.”
Reflecting on a truly magnificent season, Willie Mullins commented: “It’s fair to say that this has been our best season at home and abroad, and it is a credit to our hardworking and dedicated team that we are celebrating again today. Congratulations to all champions today, especially Jack on winning his first champion jockey title. Jack and Paul put up a brilliant battle to the very last day of the season - they are both fine riders. There have been any number of highlights but our winners at Dublin Racing Festival and at Punchestown this week are some of the standouts. Our owners have been fantastic and I trust that they are enjoying it all as much as we are.”
Champion owner JP McManus said: “It’s such a great honour to win this title and I feel so lucky. My sincere thanks to all the trainers, jockeys, stable staff and all who contributed so much to my success. I have had wonderful days out with my family, grandchildren and friends and the season has given me memories which I will greatly treasure.”
The champion conditional jockey Danny Gilligan said: “This is a dream start to my career and I’m so grateful to all the owners and trainers for the trust that they put in me. Winning the McHale Mayo National at Ballinrobe on Tullyhill set it all up and I was delighted that things went so well on so many big days, especially winning the Tote Galway Plate at my home track last Summer. My agent Garry Cribbin and Gordon (Elliott) have been fantastic and I’m delighted to have been able to repay them and everyone at Cullentra with some big winners. I’m just so grateful to everyone who has helped me along the way.”
Champion amateur Patrick Mullins said: “The title is the aim every year and can’t be taken for granted. Willie has had a super year and I’m just happy to be tagging along! There are some great horses at home and to be associated with the likes of Gaelic Warrior and Mystical Power and so many more this season is a privilege. 1,000 winners is still the goal and I’ll be keeping my head down to see if we can get there in the not-too-distant future.”
This season’s champion lady amateur Jody Townend commented: “Winning on Redemption Day earlier this week for my first Grade 1 was very special for me and it rounded off a great season. I get to ride some fantastic horses and I get some great opportunities and there’s no doubt that I’m in the right place being in Closutton every morning. Captain Cody’s win over hurdles at the Fairyhouse Easter festival was another super day as was winning on Fleur Au Fusil at the Dublin Racing Festival. I can’t thank Willie (Mullins) and all his owners enough for the backing they give me.”
Horse Racing Ireland Chief Executive, Suzanne Eade, said: “It has come down to the final day of the season but we now have our six champions confirmed and many congratulations to JP, Willie, Jack, Danny, Patrick and Jody. Jack and Paul served up a thrilling finale to the jockeys’ championship and their tussle certainly added to the excitement of the concluding weeks of the season. I recognise that there are many thousands working behind the scenes and away from the limelight, and I thank them so much for their efforts that keeps the show on the road.”
Jack Kennedy’s success in the jockeys’ championship was only confirmed this afternoon after a thrilling duel with Paul Townend who was aiming for a seventh title.
The champions for the 2023/2024 National Hunt season are:
Champion Owner: JP McManus
Champion Trainer: Willie Mullins
Champion Jockey: Jack Kennedy
Champion Conditional: Danny Gilligan
Champion Amateur: Patrick Mullins
Champion Lady Amateur: Jody Townend
Commenting on his first jockeys’ championship success, Jack Kennedy said: “It’s an unbelievable feeling to have won the championship. Paul got close enough in recent weeks to give me loads of sleepless nights but I’m delighted to have hung on. I’ve had a great 12 months, leading the championship for much of the way and riding over 100 winners in a season for the first time in my career. There was loads of great days and riding Grade 1 winners in Ireland on such good horses as Gerri Colombe, Teahupoo, Farren Glory, Found A Fifty, Caldwell Potter and Irish Point was very special. I can’t thank Gordon (Elliott), all the staff at Cullentra and his owners enough for the support they have given me. Thanks to my agent Kevin O’Ryan for getting me plenty of outside rides and winners this season - I really appreciate the opportunities from those trainers. I also have to give special thanks to Dr Jennifer Pugh, her medical team and my surgeon Paddy Kenny for all their expert medical care and looking after me so well over the last few years.”
Reflecting on a truly magnificent season, Willie Mullins commented: “It’s fair to say that this has been our best season at home and abroad, and it is a credit to our hardworking and dedicated team that we are celebrating again today. Congratulations to all champions today, especially Jack on winning his first champion jockey title. Jack and Paul put up a brilliant battle to the very last day of the season - they are both fine riders. There have been any number of highlights but our winners at Dublin Racing Festival and at Punchestown this week are some of the standouts. Our owners have been fantastic and I trust that they are enjoying it all as much as we are.”
Champion owner JP McManus said: “It’s such a great honour to win this title and I feel so lucky. My sincere thanks to all the trainers, jockeys, stable staff and all who contributed so much to my success. I have had wonderful days out with my family, grandchildren and friends and the season has given me memories which I will greatly treasure.”
The champion conditional jockey Danny Gilligan said: “This is a dream start to my career and I’m so grateful to all the owners and trainers for the trust that they put in me. Winning the McHale Mayo National at Ballinrobe on Tullyhill set it all up and I was delighted that things went so well on so many big days, especially winning the Tote Galway Plate at my home track last Summer. My agent Garry Cribbin and Gordon (Elliott) have been fantastic and I’m delighted to have been able to repay them and everyone at Cullentra with some big winners. I’m just so grateful to everyone who has helped me along the way.”
Champion amateur Patrick Mullins said: “The title is the aim every year and can’t be taken for granted. Willie has had a super year and I’m just happy to be tagging along! There are some great horses at home and to be associated with the likes of Gaelic Warrior and Mystical Power and so many more this season is a privilege. 1,000 winners is still the goal and I’ll be keeping my head down to see if we can get there in the not-too-distant future.”
This season’s champion lady amateur Jody Townend commented: “Winning on Redemption Day earlier this week for my first Grade 1 was very special for me and it rounded off a great season. I get to ride some fantastic horses and I get some great opportunities and there’s no doubt that I’m in the right place being in Closutton every morning. Captain Cody’s win over hurdles at the Fairyhouse Easter festival was another super day as was winning on Fleur Au Fusil at the Dublin Racing Festival. I can’t thank Willie (Mullins) and all his owners enough for the backing they give me.”
It’s an unbelievable feeling to have won the championship. Paul got close enough in recent weeks to give me loads of sleepless nights but I’m delighted to have hung on.
