Tag Archive for: Gordon Elliott

Surprise riding return does not represent retirement U-turn, insists Russell

/in /by

Davy Russell insists he has not made a “U-turn” on his retirement and is only stepping into the breach while Jack Kennedy recovers from a broken leg.

Russell announced his retirement on December 18 having ridden Liberty Dance to victory at Thurles – but has been tempted back into action by Gordon Elliott.

Russell and Kennedy rode the majority of Elliott’s horses prior to his retirement and with Kennedy now on the sidelines, Russell will don his riding boots once more, starting at Fairyhouse and Punchestown this weekend. However, he has stressed that as soon as Kennedy returns to action, he will head back into retirement.

Expanding on his decision in his blog for Star Sports, Russell said: “How’s the retirement going? It was going great until last weekend when Jack’s spill changed everything. It was terrible to lose a lovely horse in Top Bandit and then for Jack to have broken his leg made things even worse for the yard.

“He’s hasn’t half had some rotten luck and that’s the fifth time he’s broken his leg – crazy for one so young.

“As I said in my announcement yesterday, we are a close team in Cullentra so when Gordon asked me the question if I’d come back and help ride a few as they needed me, there was only ever going to be one answer.

“You see I’ve only been finished a matter of weeks and have done plenty in Gordon’s. As I joked in my statement, I actually sat on more on Wednesday than I’ve done in years.

Joyous scenes for Davy Russell at Thurles last month
Joyous scenes for Davy Russell at Thurles last month (Thomas Weekes/PA)

“The timing of Jack’s accident is bad. These things are never good, but if it had happened let’s say two or three months later, there would have been no decision to make. There are so many young talented pilots in Gordon’s and their days will come for sure. It’s just a bit early for some of the more high-profile horses and that’s where I am happy to help.

“Plenty have asked whether I’ll be at Cheltenham, will I go to Aintree? How long will this come back last? Listen, this is no comeback or U-turn. I’m simply filling in for Jack and when he’s ready to return, I’ll step away again. That may be before Cheltenham, that may be after Cheltenham. The key is I’m there to help a team that has always had my back. That’s why I’ve made the decision to return.”

Conflated ‘more likely’ to go straight to Cheltenham for Gold Cup tilt

/in /by

Conflated is likely to head straight to the Cheltenham Gold Cup where he will be given the chance to become Gigginstown House Stud’s third winner of the blue riband.

The Gordon Elliott-trained nine-year-old announced himself as a player in the staying division when causing a shock in last year’s Irish Gold Cup but instead of taking part in the Friday feature when running at Prestbury Park a month later, he dropped back in trip for the Ryanair Chase where he was a late faller in pursuit of the winner Allaho.

Returned to staying trips he was second to Clan Des Obeaux in the Bowl at Aintree and built on his Down Royal reappearance behind Envoi Allen to once again rule the roost at Leopardstown when brushing aside Kemboy by five lengths in the Savills Chase over the Christmas period.

That looked to tee up a defence of his Irish Gold Cup crown at next month’s Dublin Racing Festival, and although set to be given the option of that Grade One contest, connections appear to be siding towards heading to the Cheltenham Festival fresh – where he is a best price of 14-1 with Sky Bet to taste Gold Cup success.

“We’re probably veering towards heading straight to Cheltenham,” said Eddie O’Leary, racing manager for owners Gigginstown House Stud.

“It will be down to Gordon, but I imagine we’ll be going straight there.

“He will get the entry for Leopardstown and we will see how he is. I imagine it is more likely we will go straight to Cheltenham than run at Leopardstown, but we will see what the ground and everything else is like and make a decision then.”

Leopardstown Christmas Festival – Day Three – Leopardstown Racecourse
Jockey Jack Kennedy celebrates with trainer Gordon Elliott and owner Michael O’Leary and his wife Anita Farrell after winning the Savills Chase on Conflated during day three of the Leopardstown Christmas Festival (Niall Carson/PA)

On his Cheltenham chances, O’Leary continued: “Is he good enough to win a Gold Cup? I do not know. Will he get the chance to prove it? He definitely will.

“I suppose it’s quite hard to believe it (he is good enough), like he won very well (in the Savills Chase) but is the second good enough to feature in a Gold Cup? You would doubt it.

“There’s a horse called Galopin Des Champs in the way, who looks to be very good.”

Davy Russell making riding return to cover for injured Kennedy

/in /by

Davy Russell is to come out of retirement to cover for Jack Kennedy while the current Irish championship leader is on the sidelines with a broken leg.

Russell only retired last month, after riding a winner at Thurles on December 18.

The 43-year-old – who won the Grand National twice on Tiger Roll and the Gold Cup at Cheltenham on Lord Windermere – had been a key part of the riding team at Gordon Elliott’s along with Kennedy.

Davy Russell celebrates winning the Grand National with Tiger Roll
Davy Russell celebrates winning the Grand National with Tiger Roll (Mike Egerton/PA)

However, with Kennedy now out of action in the lead up to the big spring festivals, Russell has reversed his decision and will resume his career at Fairyhouse on Saturday.

In a statement issued on his behalf, Russell said: “After meeting with Gordon today, I have decided to come out of retirement and ride for the short period while Jack is on the sidelines.

“It’s only been a matter of weeks since I retired, and I actually rode more out this morning than I have in many years.

“We are a close team in Cullentra and after what happened last weekend, I want to help the team through a difficult few weeks.

“The plan is to resume riding in Fairyhouse on Saturday and Punchestown on Sunday.”

Leg fracture confirmed for Jack Kennedy

/in /by

Jack Kennedy looks set for a prolonged spell on the sidelines following confirmation he suffered a fractured leg in a fall at Naas on Sunday.

Now very much the number one jockey for Gordon Elliott following the recent retirement of Davy Russell, the 23-year-old was riding for his boss aboard Top Bandit when the pair came to grief at the fourth fence in the Rathmore Stud Irish EBF Novice Chase won by Appreciate It.

Top Bandit was unfortunately fatally injured in the incident and Kennedy was stretchered off the track and transferred to Tallaght Hospital for further assessment.

Jack Kennedy (second right) after winning last month's Savills Chase at Leopardstown on Conflated
Jack Kennedy (second right) after winning last month’s Savills Chase at Leopardstown on Conflated (Niall Carson/PA)

Elliott said later in the afternoon the injury “didn’t look good” and following X-rays, his agent Kevin O’Ryan has confirmed a fracture has been discovered.

He said: “It looks like it’s a fracture of his lower leg and he’ll go and see a surgeon in a couple of days.

“It’s a big blow, but it could always be worse.”

Supporters of Kennedy will be heartened by the fact he returned to Naas on Monday morning to watch some of Elliott’s youngsters being put through their paces.

However, whether he will be fit to ride at the Cheltenham Festival in just over nine weeks remains to be seen.

When asked how long he felt Kennedy will be on the sidelines for, O’Ryan added: “How long is a piece of string? Everybody heals differently.

“He’ll be doing his damnedest to be back as quickly as possible, but how long that will be, nobody knows.”

Elliott expresses layoff concerns for injured Kennedy

/in /by

Gordon Elliott fears stable jockey Jack Kennedy will be out of action for the “foreseeable future” after suffering a leg injury in a fall at Naas on Sunday.

While firmly established as one of Ireland’s leading jockeys, the 23-year-old has suffered more than his fair share of injury setbacks, including previous breaks to both legs.

Kennedy is now Elliott’s number one rider following the recent retirement of Davy Russell and was in action for his boss aboard Top Bandit in the Rathmore Stud Irish EBF Novice Chase.

The pair came to grief at the fourth fence with Top Bandit fatally injured in the incident, while Kennedy was transferred to Tallaght Hospital for further assessment.

The severity of Kennedy’s injury is yet to be confirmed, but Elliott told Racing TV: “It didn’t look good. I went down to the fence when he got the fall and he looked pretty sore.

“He has a bit of a bump on his lower left leg. He’s gone for X-rays and we’ll hear later on, but I didn’t like what I saw.

“We’re not going to have (him) for the foreseeable future from what I’ve seen, not unless there’s a miracle.”

The injury looks set to be a major blow to Kennedy’s hopes of being crowned champion jockey for the first time. He currently holds an 18-winner lead over reigning champion Paul Townend.

It also threatens his participation at the Cheltenham Festival in March.

Jack Kennedy (second right) after winning the Savills Chase at Leopardstown on Conflated
Jack Kennedy (second right) after winning the Savills Chase at Leopardstown on Conflated (Niall Carson/PA)

“We’ll see how he is and see what the doctors say. Obviously we’ve eight weeks to Cheltenham and it’s not ideal,” said Elliott.

“He got a terrible fall there – he just hasn’t been getting the rub of the green.

“It looked like he was in pole position to be champion jockey. If it’s not going to happen this year, hopefully it will happen sometime for him.”

Asked whether Kennedy’s expected absence gives some of his other riders an opportunity, Elliott added: “It looks like it, they are going to have to take it with both hands. It’s their chance now to step up.

“I’ve got Jordan (Gainford), I’ve got Sam (Ewing), Denis O’Regan is in a few days a week and a couple of other jockeys as well, so they’re all going to get their chances.”

Jack Kennedy taken to hospital following Naas fall

/in /by

Jack Kennedy was taken to hospital after suffering a leg injury in a fall at Naas on Sunday.

The 23-year-old is now very much first jockey to Gordon Elliott following the recent retirement of Davy Russell and was riding for his boss aboard Top Bandit in the Rathmore Stud Irish EBF Novice Chase.

The pair came to grief at the fourth fence with Top Bandit fatally injured in the incident, while Kennedy – who has suffered more than his fair share of injury setbacks – missed the rest of his rides.

Dr Jennifer Pugh of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board said: “Jack Kennedy is being transferred to Tallaght Hospital for further assessment on a leg injury.”

Conflated claims cosy Savills Chase success

/in /by

Conflated put himself firmly in the Cheltenham Gold Cup picture with a dominant success in the Savills Chase at Leopardstown.

The Gordon Elliott-trained eight-year-old was a surprise winner of the Irish Gold Cup over the course and distance last season and went on to run well before falling two from home in Cheltenham’s Ryanair Chase before pushing Clan Des Obeaux close in the Bowl at Aintree.

Expected to improve from his seasonal reappearance in the Champion Chase at Down Royal in October, in the absence of the withdrawn A Plus Tard Conflated was 2-1 favourite and ultimately outclassed his rivals.

Kemboy, winner of this race in 2018 and fourth, second and third in each of the past three years, adopted his customary pacesetting role under Paul Townend, but it was clear the soon to be 11-year-old was struggling to shake off the two years younger Conflated and Jack Kennedy allowed him to stride to the lead heading out onto the second circuit.

In truth the market leader bossed the contest from there home and Kennedy could even afford to begin celebrating on the run-in as he passed the post with five lengths in hand.

Kemboy ran another brave race to be placed once more in second, with the winner’s stablemate Fury Road coming from further back to pick up the bronze medal.

Paddy Power reacted by trimming Conflated’s Gold Cup odds to 14-1 from 33-1, while Coral offer the same price from 40s.

Elliott said: “It was unfortunate that A Plus Tard couldn’t run. The race worked out well and Jack gave him a beautiful ride.

“Paul steadied the pace down and Jack let him stride on. He said the faster this horse goes, the better he’ll be. I thought Jack was wonderful.

“He’s not an easy horse and he’s actually starting to settle now. He was very kinky and Jack said he wasn’t doing a stroke the whole way up the straight. He jumped perfect all the way.

“We don’t gallop him a whole lot and he just does his routine work each day. We left him very short in Down Royal and Jack was thrilled and said he’d come on an awful lot from it.

“I’d imagine he’ll come back here for the Irish Gold Cup but we’ll have to talk to Michael and Eddie (O’Leary) and make a plan.

“There was a lot of talk last season about which race he would go for in Cheltenham but he’ll definitely be going for the Gold Cup this year.”

Conflated with connections at Leopardstown
Conflated with connections at Leopardstown (Alan Magee/PA)

Kennedy, like Elliott completing a treble on the card, said: “Brilliant. The first couple of days have been kind of tough, but we’ve certainly made up for it today anyway.

“Paul slowed it up in front and this lad got a small bit lit up, so I let him on. He dropped it (bridle) again going down the back. He’d actually probably be better off a stronger gallop as well.

“It was a good performance and I’m delighted with him. He’s a brilliant jumper, even short he is able to get up.

“He is a good horse and probably a small bit quirky, but I suppose the penny is after dropping with him and he’s a lot more straightforward now. He was very straightforward today.”

Gerri Colombe continues progression at Limerick

/in /by

Gerri Colombe maintained his unbeaten record with a clearcut victory in the Guinness Faugheen Novice Chase at Limerick.

A winner in the point-to-point sphere a couple of years ago, the six-year-old had since landed two bumpers, two novice hurdles and a beginners chase for Gordon Elliott and was the 4-5 favourite stepping up to Grade One level for Limerick’s St Stephen’s Day feature.

Gerri Colombe was opposed by four rivals, three of which were trained by Willie Mullins, with 6-4 chance Kilcruit seemingly the first string ahead of Adamantly Chosen and Authorized Art.

Kilcruit briefly looked set to make a race of it with the strong-travelling Gerri Colombe early in the home straight, but his effort petered out and in the end it was left for Adamantly Chose to pick up the silver medal – beaten four and a quarter lengths by the decisive winner.

With stable jockey Jack Kennedy in action at Leopardstown and Davy Russell recently retired, Jordan Gainford came in for the plum ride aboard Gerri Colombe and was thrilled to secure his first Irish Grade One success, having been beaten a short head on Farouk D’alene in this race last year.

Gainford, who in October steered Shark Hanlon’s Hewick to glory in the American Grand National, said: “It’s unbelievable and first I want to thank Gordon and Robcour (owners). From the first day I walked into Gordon’s he’s looked after me and he had the confidence to put me up today.

“Last’s year’s defeat was something I didn’t want to happen again and a big thank you to Jack Kennedy too as he told me about him and how to ride him.

“His jumping was brilliant and for him to do what he did today was very good. Plans will be left to Gordon but the one thing he loves is soft ground and he had that today.”

Gordon Elliott trains Gerri Colombe
Gordon Elliott trains Gerri Colombe (David Davies/Jockey Club)

Elliott’s assistant, Ian ‘Busty’ Amond, said: “It’s great for Jordan and with the likes of Davy retiring it opens doors for these lads. They have to step up and did it and he did it, but he had the horse too.

“He loves that ground, Jordan said he was unbelievable to jump and did it well. He is laid back but keeps doing what he is doing and is six from six now.

“It is great for Robcour who put a lot of money into the game so it is important to get days like this.

“He is a right horse going forward, he has got his Grade One win now and would have no bother stepping up to three miles but well see what Gordon thinks.”

Betfair cut Gerri Colombe to 5-1 from 8-1 for the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in March.

Speaking from Leopardstown, however, Elliott revealed he is considering a different target.

He said: “He just keeps winning. He doesn’t do anything fancy at home but we are lucky to have him.

“We’ll have a look and see where we go next. He might go for the National Hunt Chase if the ground was soft. He wouldn’t want it very quick.

“He was a big baby last year and is a nice horse now.”

Fil Dor and Lossiemouth looking to light up day one at Leopardstown

/in /by

Fil Dor is widely expected to play a starring role in the feature event on the opening afternoon of the Christmas Festival at Leopardstown.

A winner at Grade Three and Grade Two level over hurdles last season, Gordon Elliott’s grey subsequently found only star juvenile Vauban too strong in Grade Ones at Leopardstown and Punchestown, as well as in the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham.

After being beaten by Brazil on his reappearance, the Doctor Dino gelding kicked off his chasing career at Navan last month and was thoroughly impressive in seeing off the high-class Saint Roi.

The pair renew rivalry in the Grade One Brand New Racing Post App Novice Chase, with Fil Dor a warm order to confirm his superiority in the hands of Jack Kennedy.

Joey Logan, racing manager for owners Caldwell Construction Ltd, said: “He’s in good nick and Gordon is very happy with him.

“In the race in Navan he jumped very well. It looked to be a very good beginners chase and he should be bang there, hopefully.”

The Willie Mullins-trained Saint Roi is not the only threat to Fil Dor, with Elliott also saddling Hollow Games, who like his stablemate looked the part on his chasing debut at Navan.

Peter Fahey’s Visionarian and Midnight Run from Joseph O’Brien’s yard complete the field.

“Hollow Games is a very good horse too and Willie’s horse is as well, so it’s a good Grade One, as you would expect,” Logan added.

Lossiemouth on her way to victory at Fairyhouse
Lossiemouth on her way to victory at Fairyhouse (Brian Lawless/PA)

The main supporting race on the first of four excellent days of action on the outskirts of Dublin is the Grade Two Knight Frank Juvenile Hurdle, which sees four unbeaten youngsters lock horns.

The hot favourite is Lossiemouth, who sets the standard on her recent Grade Three success at Fairyhouse and is one of two representatives for leading owner Rich Ricci along with new French recruit Jourdefete.

The pair are just two of five runners for the Mullins team along with Gala Marceau, Risk Belle and Aghaboy, with Padraig Roche’s Cougar and Joseph O’Brien’s Nusret adding further spice.

Joe Chambers, Ricci’s racing manager, said: “Lossiemouth looked good the last day. She meets some of the same field again, but Cougar is there for Padraig Roche as is Gala Marceau, whose French form ties in very favourably with Lossiemouth, so it’s going to be a much tougher race for her.

Owner Rich Ricci at Cheltenham
Owner Rich Ricci at Cheltenham (Tim Goode/PA)

“She also has to carry a bit of a penalty for her win the last day so we will be an awful lot wiser about her after this.

“Jourdefete is just starting out and is probably next year’s horse. He is a half-brother to Il Etait Temps, who Willie did something similar with last year.

“We only bought him in May at the Grand-Steeple Sale, so he is running for experience as much as anything else.

“If he wins a Graded race along the way then great – if not, he’ll be a novice hurdler for next season.”

A top-class card gets under way with the All About Sunday Maiden Hurdle – where all eyes will be on one-time Derby favourite High Definition.

High Definition looked like being a real star at one stage on the Flat
High Definition looked like being a real star at one stage on the Flat (PA)

He is now with Joseph O’Brien, who said: “He obviously was a high-quality Flat horse and when you get to run over hurdles, it is then when you get to find out how they have taken to the change of discipline.

“We’re looking forward to seeing how he gets on. We’ve been happy with how he’s jumped.

“We’ll see how Leopardstown goes and hopefully he runs well and then we’ll take it from there.”

Delight for Jack Kennedy with victory at Punchestown

/in /by

Jack Kennedy made a triumphant return from injury when steering Get Rich Die Plyin home in front in the Enter Now For Goffs December National Hunt Sale Maiden Hurdle at Punchestown.

The leading jockey enjoyed a smooth success on the Gordon Elliott-trained five-year-old, on his first ride since suffering a broken leg in a fall at the Dublin Racing Festival in February, an injury which came less than an hour after lifting the Irish Gold Cup aboard Delta Work.

Get Rich Die Plyin was the 5-4 favourite for his assignment and had no trouble dispatching the opposition as he opened his account by 15 lengths from Cardboard Gangster.

A delighted Kennedy said: “I couldn’t have asked for a better start, so long may it continue.

“I’ve been back riding out for three weeks, and I’m having a good old blow after that. Everything felt as good as expected.” 

Elliott was pleased to have Kennedy back in the fold after nearly seven months out.

The County Meath handler said: “It’s great to have Jack back with a winner. Everyone knows he’s been off since February, but he showed at the Dublin Racing Festival the class of rider he is.

“He’d just won the Irish Gold Cup and to get back with a winner is very important. Everyone is delighted for him.”

Of Get Rich Die Plyin, he added: “He’s a grand horse and he probably wants more of a trip. We’ll try to find a winners of one race over three miles.”

Following the victory, Elliott went on to reveal stable star Envoi Allen will pursue a career over fences this season.

The Cheveley Park Stud-owned gelding is unbeaten in eight starts under rules and was last seen winning at the Cheltenham Festival for a second time in the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle.

Asked whether Envoi Allen will go chasing this term, Elliott told Racing TV: “He was bought to be a Gold Cup horse, so you can use your head after that.”