He's being hailed as having a massive future but the present ain't so bad for 17-year-old Irish jockey Jack Kennedy. The Dingle man - who lies in second in the Irish Jump Jockeys Championship - has won the first race of the Cheltenham Festival, winning the Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle on Labaik for Gordon Elliott.
Despite being 25-1 on to win, Kennedy managed to push on for victory with the last fence being key to him overcoming Melon, the 3-1 favourite. (There's also the small matter of Ruby Walsh riding Melon - beating Ruby up the hill in the race he ALWAYS wins not a bad start to your Cheltenham story!)
25-1 shot Labaik springs a huge shock in the opener under a brilliant ride by 17-year-old Jack Kennedy to beat 3-1JF Melon #TheFestival pic.twitter.com/65dJi2vHh3
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) March 14, 2017
And it was clear just how much victory meant to him when interviewed after the race.
"I’ll be going home a very happy lad at the end of the week!" 17-year-old Jack Kennedy lands his first winner at #TheFestival with Labaik pic.twitter.com/3oCmEcQthh
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) March 14, 2017
