The 2024 season of Horse Racing has only just begun and the start has brought all the right signs for jockey Warren Kennedy. The first of the races of 2024 was brought to the racing enthusiasts by New Zealand’s Sistema Railway Stakes. With a prizemoney worth $450,000 for G1, the thoroughbreds across the region chimed in for a traditional run. However, amongst the best for the year, it was a particularly well-performed day for one.

Jockey Warren Kennedy is a well-established name in South African horse racing scenes in particular and beyond in general. Adding to his list of accolades, the 2019/20 SA Champion jockey, claimed 7 wins at the Sistema Railway Stakes. However, one to stand out was the G1 atop Waitak.

The year’s 1st G1 horse racing champion

Pukekohe Park on Monday, hosted the races to welcome New Year’s with a spectacle for the horse racing community. In a ten-race card event, Warren Kennedy rode 7 winners, one of which emerged from the G1 8th race.

Waitak, the 18-race starter, stood amongst 8 others on Monday boarded by Kennedy. The experienced jockey maneuvered the 4-year-old from the back with off-pace to a comfortable lead by the final furlong.

“Last year, it was IMPERATRIZ… This year, it is WAITAK for Warren Kennedy and @WexfordStables! He takes the world’s first G1 of 2024, the Railway Stakes (1200m), while some of the world is still in 2023!” World Horse Racing announced on X with excitement. 

On the 1200m track, Waitak clocked the time at 1:09.76, finishing with a 1-1/4 length victory over Bonny Lass. While it was the 6th triumph of the day for Warren, it marked a 1st in the career for trainer, O’Sullivan.

The champion’s connections exude excitement

Waitak, the 4-year-old Gelding, is a New Zealand-based equine, trained by A O’Sullivan & Scott. Throughout his 2-season career, Waitak holds a total of 4 wins, 3 placings, and 3 show. O’Sullivan, who trained alongside Scott, revealed that he wanted to add the Stakes to his list of wins.

“Out of all the races that I personally wanted to be a part of winning as a trainer, it was certainly the Railway, and it has eluded me,” the trainer admitted. As for the jockey, the day turned out to be equally fantastic. “It’s been a fantastic day. I don’t think anyone could have asked for any better. Everything has gone my way,” Kennedy told Trackside TV.

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Following Waitak, the jockey was met with the next win atop Habana, taking his second Group 2 win for the day. By the event’s end, it was indeed a happy new year for 4-year-old Waitak and his horse racing connections.

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