SEVENTY years after riding a big winner at Taunton, Paddy Kenneally – a famed son County Limerick – recently returned to the track for a race named in his honour.
In a lovely gesture, the Somerset staged the Paddy Kenneally Cillas Cottage 1955 Winner Handicap Hurdle.
All those years ago, he rode Cillas Cottage to win Taunton’s IIminister Handicap Hurdle.
On race day 2025, the sprightly Kenneally also celebrated his 93rd birthday.
He was in attendance with his wife Sue, and their two daughters Gail and Sally, other family members and friends.
The legendary jockey selected the Best Turned Out and also presented the trophy to the winning connections.
Trained by Michael Blake and ridden by Rex Dingle, the winner – Mr Zee – was returned at odds of 9/2. He is the property of the Staverton Owners Group.
The occasion was following on from a proposal by respected racing historian Chris Pitt.
Now living in Tewkesbury, Kenneally still attends local stable and racecourse visits organised by Racing Welfare and the Injured Jockeys Fund. He has also spent some of his retirement in Spain.
Born in Askeaton in 1932, he served his apprenticeship with the legendary PP Hogan (Kilfrush and Rathcannon).
In his early 20s, he left for England and teamed up with Earl Jones, with whom he formed a strong partnership.
With 10 wins to his credit, Kenneally retired from the saddle in 1958.
His younger brother Con (Cornelius) was also attached to the Earls Yard, but his career was cut short after a fall at Chepstow in 1956.
He died in June 2004, aged 64.
