| Warren Kennedy | |
| Occupation: | Jockey |
| Birth Place: | Durban, South Africa |
| Birth Date: | 14 April 1980 |
| Race: | Thekwini Stakes (2019) SA Fillies Classic (2020) Gold Challenge (2020) Woolavington 2000 (2020) Allan Robertson Championship (2020) Summer Cup (2020) Empress Club Stakes (2021) |
| Horses: | Summer Pudding, Rainbow Bridge, Vernichey, Gabor |
| Updated: | 17 August 2020 |
Warren Brian Kennedy is a South African horse racing jockey currently riding in New Zealand. He was the 2019/20 and 2021/22 South African Champion Jockey.
He has won Group 1 races in South Africa and in New Zealand.
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.[1]
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.[2]
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.[3] 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.[4] Kennedy quickly achieved race day wins.[5]
Warren is the son of former jockey Terrence Kennedy.
Kennedy is married to Barbara (née Badenhorst),[12] with whom he has two daughters.