Image © Healy Racing
It was dream start for Michael Kenneally in the professional ranks, after he partnered his first professional jumps winner at the Listowel Festival aboard the Declan Queally trained Carrigmoornaspruce.
The 29-year-old started his career as an apprentice jockey on the flat at the age of 17 and spent a time with Michael Bell before weight issues curtailed his career as a flat jockey. He spent a couple of years riding out in Australia before returning to Ireland to qualify as an electrician.
The Dungourney native returned to race racing in 2023 when he took out his Qualified Riders licence late in 2023. He had his first point-to-point winner aboard Can Daddy Dance for Johnny Hurley at Borris House in March 2024.
Kenneally established himself very quickly on the point-to-point circuit and attracted plenty of support from some of the games leading yards. He finished up on 14 winners last season which saw him lie joint tenth on the leading riders table.
He rode winners for eleven different handlers this year, Colin Motherway, Denis Ahern, Johhny Collins, Ciaran Fennessy, Edmund Power, Eugene O’Sullivan, James Condon, M. Anthony Murphy, Mick Goff, Raymond Hurley and Sam Curling.
The highlight of his season was riding his first career treble at Dromahane on 13th April then following up with a first two-timer just seven days later at Curraghmore.
Kenneally is basing himself at Declan Queally’s yard in Dungarvan three days a week, the Waterford trainer was very complimentary of the rider and believes he is great value for his 7lbs.
Classy bumper performer Carrigmoornaspruce makes the perfect start over timber @ListowelRaces ? pic.twitter.com/AeeJ5oQqsw
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) September 25, 2025
