'It would be a disaster' - Jack Kennedy on the dilemma facing Irish pony racing

Jack Kennedy has said it would be an "absolute disaster" if the Irish horse and pony racing circuit were to be discontinued, with its insurance crisis potentially bringing an end to an organisation which has given so much to Irish racing.

Many talented jockeys have graced the circuit over the decades, but few reached the heights obtained by Kennedy.

Kennedy was given his first pony when he was aged just nine, called Pair Of Jacks, and three years later his father Billy built their own stables in a field across from their home in Dingle and they began training a few ponies of their own.

The 2021 Cheltenham Gold Cup-winning jockey took the circuit by storm throughout his youth, and he won the overall horse and pony jockey titles in the southern region as well as Irish Field National Champion Jockey when he was just 13.

Felix Desjy wins at the Punchestown festival under KennedyCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

That same August, in 2012, the pair were in racing utopia when Coola Boula landed the Dingle Derby, the Gold Cup of pony racing, in their own backyard. A young Kennedy punched the air crossing the line, marking a special success to cap off their annus mirabilis.

From Donegal to Kerry, Galway to Dublin, the pair travelled the length and breadth of the country each week, collecting winner after winner. It was an incredible learning curve that proved a vital stepping stone in what is already an illustrious career for the 23-year-old jockey.

This is just one example of the special stories associated with the historic association.

The Dingle jockey said: “It’ll be a disaster if they can’t continue. It would have a massive impact on Irish racing if it were to stop.”

While it is a perfect stepping stone for aspiring young jockeys, the circuit also gives the opportunity for horses who perhaps aren’t good enough to make it to the track.

“Obviously, it's a great road to take for jockeys coming through, but even for the likes of giving horses a second home that probably aren’t good enough for the track any more, a lot of them end up going to homes and going flapping or pony racing. It’s a second chance for them as well.

“Every horse I rode in those days would have run on the track at some stage before they ended up pony racing, giving them a second chance,” said Kennedy.

"Where are those horses going now if there’s nobody to take them for the likes of pony racing?”

The Irish horse and pony racing society is made up of four regional associations which operate on a voluntary basis throughout the year, with all roads leading to the Dingle August festival, the Cheltenham of pony racing.

“The Dingle Derby is like the Gold Cup. It teaches you as well to cope with a bit of pressure and things like that on a big day,” Kennedy added.

Kennedy and Minella Indo winning the 2021 Cheltenham Gold CupCredit: Tim Goode (Getty Images)

With the current insurance policy ending on June 4, the organisation faces a race against time to save itself from being discontinued, and Kennedy won’t shy away from giving a helping hand if required.

“It would be a complete disaster if they can’t get anything sorted. I’m sure everyone would be happy to help out, but I’m not sure if that’ll cut it. Nobody, I’m sure, would have a problem doing what they can to help.”

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'An absolute nightmare' - insurance crisis has Irish pony racing in deep trouble

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