New Zealand jockey Jaylah Kennedy happy to call Ballarat home

Jaylah Kennedy has already more than doubled her winners of her first season as a rider, adopting a simple plan to attract rides.

It made perfect sense for New Zealand-born apprentice Jaylah Kennedy to make Ballarat her hometown six years ago.

Kennedy hails from a racing family from Dunedin in New Zealand’s south island where snow can fall in the winter and darkness can set in early in the depths of winter.

“My mum, dad and grandparents were all jockeys and trained and mum and dad still train now,” Kennedy said.

“It has been the family bread and butter for a long time.”

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Kennedy started riding under the guidance of trainer Dan O’Sullivan last season.

However, Kennedy had to wait to enter Racing Victoria’s apprentice school.

“I’ve been working over here for just over six years, long enough to call it home,” Kennedy said.

“I applied and got knocked back my first year but got in my second year applying.

“It’s been all go from there really.”

Jaylah Kennedy started riding last season. Picture: George Sal/Racing Photos via Getty Images

Kennedy rode 20 winners in her first season in the saddle but already more than doubled that result with 44 wins with months remaining in the 2023/24 season.

The 23-year-old’s stature has already led to her repeatedly being told she reminds participants of former champion Adelaide jockey Clare Lindop, the first woman to ride a Victoria Derby winner on Rebel Raider in 2008.

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Kennedy decided to have last week off to refresh herself ahead of the winter months, which are the busiest time for apprentices, heading home to New Zealand for a wedding.

The break has helped Kennedy recharge for her bid to fulfil one of her season’s goals.

“At the moment, I think I’m leading the country premiership so I’d like to knock that on the head,” Kennedy said.

“Next season, I’d like to go for that metro apprentices’ title.”

Jaylah Kennedy riding Coco Sun to victory at Bendigo. Picture: Scott Barbour/Racing Photos via Getty Images

Kennedy has adopted a simple plan to attract rides – work as hard as possible on the training track.

That approach has led to her getting opportunities from many stables outside the O’Sullivan camp, including the Tony and Calvin McEvoy stable for whom Kennedy booted home Coco Sun at the Bendigo stand-alone meeting at Bendigo on April 13.

“Dan (O’Sullivan) is old school but he’s very fair. If you work hard, you get the rewards so I couldn’t be happier,” Kennedy said.

“I have worked hard for it. It hasn’t been silver-spooned to me.

“You’ve got to be willing to work to be successful and I’m definitely willing to work hard.”

The McEvoy stable has booked Kennedy for two rides at Caulfield on Saturday.

Kennedy will ride Bill The Boxer for the stable in the Barastoc Handicap (1200m) and Tommy in the Here For The Horses Handicap (1800m).

Kennedy will ride Tycoon Bec, who is part-owned by actor Gary Sweet and AFL great Chris Judd, in the VOBIS Gold Heath (2000m).

Originally published as New Zealand jockey Jaylah Kennedy happy to call Ballarat home