Two top jockeys ‘were attacked at 3am by gang of thugs in Kildare’ – days after they won races for Gordon Elliott at Cheltenham Festival – as Irish police launch investigation into incident
- Irish police are investigating claims that two top jockeys were attacked by a gang
- Sam Ewing and Jack Kennedy were reportedly attacked in Naas at 3am
- Both had won races at the Cheltenham Festival in England the week before
Irish police are reportedly investigating claims that top jockeys Sam Ewing and Jack Kennedy were attacked by a gang during a 3am attack in Naas.
Gardai are searching for the thugs who attacked the talented jockeys in Co Kildare in the early hours of Monday, March 18, days after their star performances at the Cheltenham Festival.
Kennedy, 25, rode the favored Teahuppo to victory in the Stayers’ Hurdle on day three of the event, while 20-year-old Ewing won the Albert Bartlett Hurdle the following day with 33-1 outsider Stellar Story.
However, three days later they fell victim to a gang of young men from another part of Kildare.
The Irish Mirror reports this that their performances came under criticism, with a source revealing: ‘Ridiculous comments were made about Cheltenham.
Irish police are investigating claims that Cheltenham winning jockey Sam Ewing was attacked
Jack Kennedy, who rode Teahupoo to victory at Cheltenham, was also reportedly attacked
‘They were attacked by a group of men who complained about the number of races the pair were winning. It was completely crazy.
“They are both innocent young boys and they did not deserve this. They were the victims here.”
It is believed the crowd targeted Ewing on South Main Street in Naas at 3am, with Kennedy also attacked as he ran to his friend’s aid.
They were repeatedly punched and kicked before they were able to escape the group of young men and alert authorities, who had already reviewed CCTV footage.
A Gardai spokesperson said: ‘Gardai in Naas received a report of an alleged assault incident which occurred at approximately 3.15am on Monday 18 March 2024 on South Main Street in Naas, Co Kildare.
“Two men, in their twenties, were injured during the incident. No arrests have been made at this time and the investigation is ongoing.”
Trainer Gordon Elliott, pictured with Kennedy, revealed he was unaware of the incident
Sources said the jockeys were urged to seek hospital treatment after last week’s attack – although it was believed neither would be seriously injured as a result of the incident, and Kennedy won two races in Limerick on Sunday.
Neither jockey responded to the Irish Mirror when asked for comment, with trainer Elliott revealing: “I don’t know anything about it.”