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Warren Kennedy
Occupation	Jockey
Born	(1980-04-14) 14 April 1980 (age 44) Durban, South Africa
Major racing wins
Thekwini Stakes (2019) SA Fillies Classic (2020) Gold Challenge (2020) Woolavington 2000 (2020) Allan Robertson Championship (2020) Summer Cup (2020) Empress Club Stakes (2021)
Significant horses
Summer Pudding, Rainbow Bridge, Vernichey, Gabor

Warren Brian Kennedy is a South African horse racing jockey currently riding in New Zealand. He was Champion Jockey in South Africa for the 2019/20 and 2021/22 seasons and in New Zealand for the 2023/24 season.

He has won Group 1 races in South Africa and in New Zealand.

Riding career

Kennedy attended the South African Jockey Academy in 1995 when he was 14 years old. He became a qualified rider in 2000. Kennedy won the National Apprentice title in his final year.

His first race win came on board Coded Missile for trainer Nic Claasen at Fairview on 15 May 1998. It was a chance ride as the trainer's stable jockey fell ill. The race was the Lady Pedant Stakes, and being a listed race, Kennedy received no apprentice claim.

His first Grade 1 victory came on board Gabor in the Thekwini Stakes at Hollywoodbets Greyville. Other Group 1 wins include the Summer Cup with Summer Pudding, the Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge with Rainbow Bridge, and the Allan Robertson Championship with Vernichey. He also rode Triple Tiara winner Summer Pudding to victory in the Grade 1 SA Fillies Classic, the Grade 2 Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas, and the Grade 1 Woolavington 2000.

In 2022 Kennedy moved to New Zealand where he was engaged by Byerley Park founder and Director Daniel Nakhle and managed by former Gauteng-based jockey Donavan Mansour. Kennedy quickly achieved race day wins.

Major New Zealand winning rides

• 2022 Zabeel Classic (G1) with Defibrillate for Graham Richardson and Rogan Norvall
• 2023 Karaka Million 3YO Classic (Listed 1600m) with Prowess for Roger James and Robert Wellwood.
• 2023 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (G1) with Crocetti for Danny Walker and Arron Tata
• 2024 Railway Stakes (G1 1200m) with Waitak for Lance O'Sullivan & Andrew Scott
• 2024 New Zealand Oaks (G1) with Pulchritudinous for Chad Ormsby.
• 2024 Livamol Classic (G1) with Snazzytavi for Graham Richardson & Rogan Norvall

Personal life

Warren is the son of former jockey Terrence Kennedy.

Kennedy is married to Barbara (née Badenhorst), with whom he has two daughters.

References

1. "Warren Kennedy". Sporting Post.
2. "PERSONALITY OF THE WEEK IS JOCKEY WARREN KENNEDY - SAHorseracing.COM - South African Horseracing and Betting". www.sahracing.com.
3. "Gr1 Milestone Magic Moments". Sporting Post. 5 July 2020.
4. "Goodbye Warren Kennedy - Now Zackey Follows". Sporting Post. 11 October 2022.
5. "South African jockeys making an impact in New Zealand". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 26 December 2022.
6. https://www.news.com.au/sport/superracing/defibrillate-wins-mondays-group-1-zabeel-classic-in-new-zealand/news-story/5366f87bbb914fdf1c1ffc2f452871eb
7. "Race 6 KARAKA MILLION 3YO CLASSIC at AUCKLAND THOROUGHBRED RACING on 21 JAN 2023 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
8. https://www.racingnews.co.nz/crocetti-confirms-superstar-quality-in-2000-guineas/
9. "Race 8 SISTEMA RAILWAY at AUCKLAND THOROUGHBRED RACING on 1 JAN 2024 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
10. "Race 8 AL BASTI EQUIWORLD DUBAI NEW ZEALAND OAKS at WELLINGTON RC on 16 MAR 2024 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
11. Staff Writer (16 March 2024). "Pulchritudinous claims Group 1 New Zealand Oaks | Horse Betting". horsebetting.com.au.
12. "Race 9 LIVAMOL CLASSIC at WAIKATO THOROUGHBRED RACING on 12 OCT 2024 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
13. "Snazzytavi's stunning win at Te Rapa cements her Group 1 potential". NZ Herald. 12 October 2024.
14. "Family Counts". Sporting Post.

• South African jockeys
• Living people
• 1980 births