Speaking exclusively with BOYLE Sports jockey Jordan Gainford has some high praise for fellow jockeys describing Jack Kennedy as "magic" and the new Ruby Walsh as well as the tremendous character of Darragh O'Keefe.
Gainford also reflects on the bond between jockeys and gives an insight into his experiences riding in a plan driven by a fellow jockey which wasn't Sean Flanagan!
The piece concludes with the jockey reflecting on his favourite ride to date, candidly admits to his biggest ambition and speaks about his interest in the Six Nations!
Jack Kennedy
“Magic” Jack Kennedy
He's magic. I am very good friends with Jack . All of us in the area are very close. He works very hard. He's a champion for a reason. He's very good to all of us and never holds anything against anyone. He gets on with the job. Like Mark Walsh, he could ride a winner on a Tuesday, and he could ride in the Dublin Racing Festival; it makes no difference to him. He’s very level-headed, he has a brilliant attitude, and mentally he's very good.
To break your leg six times and to keep coming back, keep riding better as ever takes a lot. What Ruby Walsh said about Jack last week in Cheltenham was a serious statement. He said mentally and physically to come back every time in this sport is huge. Mentally, it's very hard, and that's the toughest thing. He's very humble; his attitude is the best part of him. He’s just hungry; he loves riding winners as we all do. He’s just a gentleman all around.
Retaining The Jockey Championship
I really do think so. He's getting great support. He’s getting plenty of outside rides now as
The New Ruby Walsh
I think Ruby Walsh was just magic, along with Davy Russell. As for now, Jack Kennedy is the superstar. I think he's a fantastic rider. No matter what horse he gets on, he's just very, very good.
Darragh O'Keefe
Darragh O’Keeffe
Jack is in front now, holding it ahead of Darragh O’Keeffe . I’m good friends with Darragh ; he's a great character. He's one of the best in the weighing room.
It’s lovely to see someone like him coming along, someone new, a new face, and he's hungry. I think he's had the most mounted ride for the last couple of years in Ireland in the weighing room. But I'm sure when Willie is really ticking all the boxes now, Paul Townend won't be far away either.
O'Keefe Is A Great Character
I'd say when you go in there, Darragh O'Keeffe is one to really brighten up your day, whether you're down in the dumps or not. He’s a great character; a great fella, and I wish him the best of luck in the championship because he deserves it.
Jockey Camaraderie
Jockey Bond But Risks Remain
Yes. Look, that's the game we're in. In fairness, in this house, we come home from racing, and we're all friends. But once we get into the weighing room, things change, and that's the way it should be. To be honest, I have plenty of mates, but I live with Sam Ewing and Danny Gilligan. Owen Staples is moving in shortly. Jack's only over the road. We're all great friends, and I think, at least I hope, I've lots of friends in the weighing room!
I’ve Never Flown With Sean Flanagan But Have With Another
No. But he’s on to me a good few times to do so! But I've actually been lucky enough to have been in Paddy O’Hanlon’s aeroplane. Paddy won the Irish Grand National a couple of years ago. He flew us to Perth one time, and it was a bit eventful. There was a little bit of turbulence. It was a little bit bumpy taking off here and there, but we lived to fight another day, thank God.
Jordan Gainford
My Favourite Ride
My first Cheltenham winner, The Shunter, will always be special. I didn't know until two days before I was riding him. The real standout, though, has to be Hewick. He was the one, in fairness, he won a Bet 365, then travelled the world with him to America and to win their Grand National was magic. It was very early on in my career; he won a Galway Plate as well. They were three massive days.
He was a bargain. He’s very straightforward. He's not very big; he's a small horse. He just doesn't know when to stop, really. He's a huge heart. He's a great mind. He's a good one - a freak, really. The other horse I love is El Cairos, who is set for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle. I really love him. With Hewick, they’re talking about going the Stayers’ Hurdle route. Look, he's a serious horse. If you saw him, you'd say, ‘Jeez, how did he ever run in the Gold Cup?’ He is not big, but he’s a big part.
My Ultimate Ambition
To be honest, everyone wants to win the Gold Cup and be a champion jockey . If you're not dreaming of them, you're not really in the game. They are the targets. I was lucky enough to ride in the Gold Cup . It was probably the best race I ever rode in, to be honest.
I'll keep my head down, try to ride as many winners as I can and take every chance as much as I can. Every horse deserves their time, and you need to put every bit of time and effort you can into them, and hopefully the dreams will come through after that.
Six Nations Interest
It's going to be interesting. First time playing on a Thursday night. Paris would be cool to go to, and I actually think I’ll get to go. I'll be looking forward to it. When I was younger, I used to play rugby at scrum half. My dad would be a big supporter. When I go home, there’d be rugby on the telly.
I was actually at a Leinster match on Saturday when they won. But I'd actually follow Munster more so! I actually started out playing rugby with a guy called Charlie Tector, and he was a 10 the other night for Leinster , but he usually starts 12. I know him quite well and kind of really follow him now. He is a very good 12. He actually scored a try the other night, and it was disallowed. But the week before, he got man of the match and scored a try. He’s one to look out for now, coming forward.
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