JACK Kennedy has been rushed to hospital due to a suspected ankle break suffered in a terrible fall at Fairyhouse.
Tragically, his horse Twoohthree did not survive a crash to the ground over the final hurdle in the opening race of the Winter Festival at the Meath track.
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An update has since been provided by the IHRB’s Chief Medical Officer Dr Jennifer Pugh.
She confirmed that medical staff in Blanchardstown’s Connolly Hospital have deemed it an ankle problem.
Speaking at the course, Richard Downey, medical officer for the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board, added: “Jack has broken his right lower leg and has gone to Connolly Hospital in Blanchardstown for management of the injury.”
Gordon Elliott was standing by to share his immediate despair at the news.
The Cullentra boss vowed: “My heart goes out to Jack but the one thing I can assure him is that all these horses will be here for him when he returns.
“Jack is a massive part of the team at Cullentra and we would be absolutely lost without him.
“He’ll be back and all the horses will be here for him when he is.
“I would say Sam will ride the horses on Sunday and he’s a great fella to be able to call up on big days like this.”
Despite still only being 25, Kennedy has previously broken his leg on five occasions.
This latest blow came as his mount was vying with O’Moore Park under Sean O’Keeffe for second place in the SIS Beginners Chase.
Both horses crashed out in dramatic scenes that resulted in a medical delay being implemented.
Neither O’Moore Park nor O’Keeffe are believed to have been harmed in the gnarly accident.
The race was comfortably won by Willie Mullins-owned favourite Impaire Et Passe – ridden by Paul Townend.
It was the star runner’s chasing debut, though you wouldn’t have guessed from the 12-length margin of victory over second-placed Staffordshire Knot.
Townend said afterwards of his 2-13 favourite: “He jumped brilliantly.
“He got a bit lackadaisical in the middle of the race but I opened him up at the back of the second last and he just took off and got a great jump at the last.
“He did everything I wanted him to do.
“He was quick over the first couple and just popped away after that.
“He just went asleep on me a bit and I hoped when I asked him that he would come alive and he did. I’m very happy with that.”