Jack Kennedy has been ruled out of next month's Cheltenham Festival.
The Kerry jockey fractured his right femur following a fall from Dallas Des Pictons at Leopardstown on Sunday.
The incident came in the race immediately after Kennedy had guided Delta Work to victory in the day's feature - the Irish Gold Cup. The 20-year old was rushed to St. Vincent's Hospital where x-rays revealed the nature of the injury.
Kennedy underwent successful surgery on Monday morning, but no time frame has been placed on his recovery.
Further update from Dr. Jennifer Pugh with the consent of Jack Kennedy
“Jack has had surgery on his leg this morning & thankfully that went well. Unfortunately at this stage the timing will mean Jack will miss Cheltenham. Hopefully he should get home from hospital tomorrow.” pic.twitter.com/ASAMC73jjb— IHRB (@ihrb_ie) February 3, 2020
Senior medical officer Dr. Jennifer Pugh provided the update on Kennedy's progress, saying via Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB), "Unfortunately at this stage the timing will mean Jack will miss Cheltenham. Hopefully he should get home from hospital tomorrow."
Kennedy has endured a torrid time with injuries over the past year, and had only recently returned from a broken collarbone sustained in a fall at Punchestown in October.
This latest leg break is the fourth of his short career.
Speaking after Delta Work's victory on Sunday, Kennedy felt the pair were set for a tilt at this year's Cheltenham Gold Cup.
The Dingle native rode his first winner at Cheltenham while still just 17-years old. Kennedy piloted the Gordon Elliott-trained Labaik to victory in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle in March of 2017.
He would go onto win four more races at the 2018 Cheltenham Festival, including Samcro's Ballymore Novices' Hurdle triumph.
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