'Riding better than ever' - Best bet for Irish Jockey's Championship Could we be set to see a new name as Ireland's champion jumps jockey come Punchestown in the spring? It's a possibility as Darragh O'Keeffe is racing into Christmas with a lead at the top of the standings. He's thriving as Henry de Bromhead's number one jockey following Rachael Blackmore's retirement but can the Corkman keep his pace up? Jack Kennedy is breathing down his neck following a red-hot spell for Gordon Elliott's horses and, lingering in the background, Paul Townend is surely going to start catching up on the pacesetters as Willie Mullins' battalion of stars start to hit top gear. It really is a tough one to call at this stage and there are reasons to believe in all three contenders. Darragh O'Keeffe Winners: 69 (as of December 18th) Odds: 6/4 O'Keeffe is thriving as the number one rider at Knockeen this season following the retirement of Blackmore in May. He was a trusted lieutenant for de Bromhead before that and has been making the most of his opportunity. He was champion conditional jockey for the 2019/2020 season and partnered his first Grade 3 winner when taking the Kerry Group Stayers Novice Hurdle on the Michael Winters-trained Sayce Gold at his home track of Cork in December 2020. Just weeks later a breakout moment came when he enjoyed his first Grade 1 success on the de Bromhead-trained A Plus Tard in the Savills Chase as they came home strongly to deny the Willie Mullins pair Kemboy and Melon in second and third. With 69 winners on the board already this season, O'Keeffe is on track for a winning number, with Townend taking the title on 108 last season, but can he keep pace over the very competitive festive season and towards the major spring festivals? Jack Kennedy Winners: 62 (as of December 18th) Odds: 7/4 Kennedy had the makings of a champion jockey for a long time and after suffering more than his fair share of injuries, he scaled that mountain in 2023/24 when dethroning Townend. The Kerry native did so with 123 winners, a tally only Ruby Walsh has beaten on Irish turf this century, with 131 winners in 2007/08 and again in 2016/17. Kennedy has suffered a broken leg for the sixth time in his career after a fall at Fairyhouse last November but he is back fully fit and seemingly riding better than ever now. Kennedy had a four-timer at Fairyhouse on Hatton's Grace Day last month, including a power-packed finish on Teahupoo in the feature race, and he repeated the feat at Cork this month as Found A Fifty upstaged Majborough in the Hilly Way Chase. It's all a far cry from the misery of the latest injury 12 months ago and, with Elliott's team purring, a big Christmas could see Kennedy going into the New Year as championship leader. Paul Townend Winners: 41 (as of December 18th) Odds: 6/4 It's testament to the man Townend works for that he is just a 6/4 chance in the market despite trailing his main rivals by more than 20 winners going into the Christmas racing. The Mullins team have, by their own high standards, not quite started to fire on all cylinders just yet but that statement could make for some revisiting in early January as a big festive season is anticipated. Even so, Townend — the seven-time and reigning champion jockey — has some work to do. He has won titles with 80 winners in 2010/11 and 84 in 2021/22 but his two challengers are setting a pace that demands this will go well into three-figures, barring injuries. Indeed, Townend's highest winning tally as champion jockey was 109 in 2018/19 and, for Kennedy in particular, that target looks well within his sights. Best bet: Jack Kennedy Recent weeks have seen Kennedy twice scoring four-timers at major meetings at Fairyhouse and Cork. The 2023/24 champion rider is in a good place, injury free and riding with confidence. He has a fine team of established and rising stars to look forward to for Gordon Elliott between now and Punchestown in the spring. The sheer quality at Mullins' disposal means Townend is likely to erode the deficit at some point, but Kennedy is well on track to reach a target even the champion may find elusive.
