Warren Brian Kennedy is a South African horse racing jockey currently riding in New Zealand. He was Champion Jockey in South Africa for the 2019/20 and 2021/22 seasons and in New Zealand for the 2023/24 season.
| Warren Kennedy | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Occupation | Jockey |
| Born | 14 April 1980 Durban, South Africa |
| Major racing wins | |
| Thekwini Stakes (2019) SA Fillies Classic (2020) Gold Challenge (2020) Woolavington 2000 (2020) Allan Robertson Championship (2020) Summer Cup (2020) Empress Club Stakes (2021) | |
| Significant horses | |
| Summer Pudding, Rainbow Bridge, Vernichey, Gabor | |
He has won Group 1 races in South Africa and in New Zealand.
Riding career
editKennedy attended the South African Jockey Academy in 1995 when he was 14 years old. He became a qualified rider in 2000. Kennedy won the National Apprentice title in his final year.[1]
His first race win came on board Coded Missile for trainer Nic Claasen at Fairview on 15 May 1998. It was a chance ride as the trainer's stable jockey fell ill. The race was the Lady Pedant Stakes, and being a listed race, Kennedy received no apprentice claim.[2]
His first Grade 1 victory came on board Gabor in the Thekwini Stakes at Hollywoodbets Greyville. Other Group 1 wins include the Summer Cup with Summer Pudding, the Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge with Rainbow Bridge, and the Allan Robertson Championship with Vernichey.[3] He also rode Triple Tiara winner Summer Pudding to victory in the Grade 1 SA Fillies Classic, the Grade 2 Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas, and the Grade 1 Woolavington 2000.
In 2022 Kennedy moved to New Zealand where he was engaged by Byerley Park founder and Director Daniel Nakhle and managed by former Gauteng-based jockey Donavan Mansour.[4] Kennedy quickly achieved race day wins.[5]
Major New Zealand winning rides
edit- 2022 Zabeel Classic (G1) with Defibrillate for Graham Richardson and Rogan Norvall[6]
- 2023 Karaka Million 3YO Classic (Listed 1600m) with Prowess for Roger James and Robert Wellwood.[7]
- 2023 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (G1) with Crocetti for Danny Walker and Arron Tata [8]
- 2024 Railway Stakes (G1 1200m) with Waitak for Lance O'Sullivan & Andrew Scott[9]
- 2024 New Zealand Oaks (G1) with Pulchritudinous for Chad Ormsby.[10][11]
- 2024 Livamol Classic (G1) with Snazzytavi for Graham Richardson & Rogan Norvall[12][13]
Personal life
editWarren is the son of former jockey Terrence Kennedy.
Kennedy is married to Barbara (née Badenhorst),[14] with whom he has two daughters.
References
edit- ^ "Warren Kennedy". Sporting Post.
- ^ "PERSONALITY OF THE WEEK IS JOCKEY WARREN KENNEDY - SAHorseracing.COM - South African Horseracing and Betting". www.sahracing.com.
- ^ "Gr1 Milestone Magic Moments". Sporting Post. 5 July 2020.
- ^ "Goodbye Warren Kennedy - Now Zackey Follows". Sporting Post. 11 October 2022.
- ^ "South African jockeys making an impact in New Zealand". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 26 December 2022.
- ^ https://www.news.com.au/sport/superracing/defibrillate-wins-mondays-group-1-zabeel-classic-in-new-zealand/news-story/5366f87bbb914fdf1c1ffc2f452871eb
- ^ "Race 6 KARAKA MILLION 3YO CLASSIC at AUCKLAND THOROUGHBRED RACING on 21 JAN 2023 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
- ^ https://www.racingnews.co.nz/crocetti-confirms-superstar-quality-in-2000-guineas/
- ^ "Race 8 SISTEMA RAILWAY at AUCKLAND THOROUGHBRED RACING on 1 JAN 2024 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
- ^ "Race 8 AL BASTI EQUIWORLD DUBAI NEW ZEALAND OAKS at WELLINGTON RC on 16 MAR 2024 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
- ^ Staff Writer (16 March 2024). "Pulchritudinous claims Group 1 New Zealand Oaks | Horse Betting". horsebetting.com.au.
- ^ "Race 9 LIVAMOL CLASSIC at WAIKATO THOROUGHBRED RACING on 12 OCT 2024 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
- ^ "Snazzytavi's stunning win at Te Rapa cements her Group 1 potential". NZ Herald. 12 October 2024.
- ^ "Family Counts". Sporting Post.