New Zealand is delivering Warren Kennedy had yearned for when the former South African champion jockey made the bold decision to relocate five months ago.
Durban-born Kennedy, 42, left a successful career in his homeland in search of a better work-life balance and has no regrets, having quickly garnered the support of leading Waikato stables.
That is emphasised at Tauranga on Saturday where he has a full book of eight rides on his return from suspension, with five mounts for Te Akau’s Mark Walker and one apiece for Lance O’Sullivan & Andrew Scott and Roger James & Robert Wellwood.
He will also partner Andrew Forsman’s Marroni, the pre-post favourite for the G2 Ultimate Mazda Japan Trophy. “I’ve got some nice rides coming up and I’m ready to get back into it for sure,” said Kennedy, best known in NZ for his partnership with star filly Prowess.
He arrived in New Zealand last October and was shortly after joined by wife Barbara and daughters Jamie Lee and Ryleigh in a move facilitated by Byerley Park founder Daniel Nakhle and former jockey Donovan Mansour.
“I wanted to spend a lot more time with my family as South Africa races every single day and I was on a plane all the time,” he explained.
“I just wanted a better balance of my workload and family life and it was really difficult to do it there.
“I wanted to get my children out and get them passports that would mean something later in life and we are on track to residency so hopefully that all goes well. We are just cracking on and doing our best.”
Kennedy came with an impressive record, with seven G1 winners to his name at home, where he was champion apprentice before twice winningh the South African jockeys’ premiership.
Even so, he was well aware he would have to prove himself all over again. “It’s not easy coming to a new country and not knowing what to expect, even if I did have a good CV,” he said.
“You still have to show you can ride these courses and it’s been really great and everyone has got behind me.”
Kennedy has repaid the support he has received with a current tally of 44 winners, including eight at stakes level and victory in the G1 Zabeel Classic aboard the Graham Richardson & Rogan Norval-trained Defibrillate.
“Once everyone realises you can get the job done in Group races you are away because that’s where the focus is and I was able to do that pretty early on,” he said.
Kennedy’s success is not only testament to his riding talent, but also his ability to adapt. “I had to get used to the shorter straights and tighter tracks and also the way the guys race here,” he said.
“There are no false rails here, which I was used to in South Africa. Once you turn into the straight there was plenty of room and everyone spreads out so it took me a while to get used to it.
“I think I latched on pretty quickly though and find it quite comfortable now to read races and to win them.”
Another major highlight thus far for Kennedy has been a three-start unbeaten run with top filly Prowess that netted them the Karaka Million 3YO Classic and G2 successes in the Auckland Guineas and David & Karyn Ellis Fillies’ Classic.
He will be an interested spectator when the James and Wellwood representative runs in Saturday’s G1 Vinery Stud Stakes at Rosehill.
“She has done nothing wrong and has stepped up every time,” said Kennedy. “She is a wonderful filly and I’m sure she will do really well, she is very tough.
“There’s a good filly I can compare Prowess to in South Africa and that’s Summer Pudding, who won 10 in a row and four of them were Group 1s for me,” he goes on. “She was really, really good and Prowess isn’t far behind her so it’s close.”
Comparing the quality of South African to New Zealand Thoroughbreds is something Kennedy has been regularly quizzed on.
“It’s a tough one and I’ve been asked the question a few times, but I will say I’m not too clued up on the breeding side of things but it feels to me that New Zealand horses are Classic types,” he said.
“Maybe in sprints up to 1,400 metres, I’d say the South African horses would have your number, but once over a mile and further the horses here are pretty tough and strong.”
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