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Max Kendrick
Max Kendrick
Jump jockey Max Kendrick started young, riding his first pony when around three years of age. In terms of racing, however, he admits to having been “not all that keen in my younger years and would not have shown much of an interest until I was around 12/13”.
Jump jockey Max Kendrick started young, riding his first pony when around three years of age. In terms of racing, however, he admits to having been “not all that keen in my younger years and would not have shown much of an interest until I was around 12/13”.
It wasn’t until he rode in his first pony race that he knew that he wanted to become a jockey. He was lucky in having a lot of encouragement from his godfather, a former point-to-point jockey, who would drive young Max to Newmarket in his early teens to ride out. That helped to further fuel the flames.
It wasn’t until he rode in his first pony race that he knew that he wanted to become a jockey. He was lucky in having a lot of encouragement from his godfather, a former point-to-point jockey, who would drive young Max to Newmarket in his early teens to ride out. That helped to further fuel the flames.
He was granted a point-to-point jockey’s licence at the age of 16 and rode in that sphere for two years while finishing his A-levels at school. He then joined trainer Ben Case’s team and rode as an amateur. During that time he continued to ride in point-to-points and also rode in Arab races.
He was granted a point-to-point jockey’s licence at the age of 16 and rode in that sphere for two years while finishing his A-levels at school. He then joined trainer Ben Case’s team and rode as an amateur. During that time he continued to ride in point-to-points and also rode in Arab races.
He finished third on his first mount under rules on 25/1 shot Wither Yenot, owned by Mrs Carolyn Kendrick and trained by Ben Case, in an amateur riders’ novices’ hurdle at Exeter on 22 October 2013.
He finished third on his first mount under rules on 25/1 shot Wither Yenot, owned by Mrs Carolyn Kendrick and trained by Ben Case, in an amateur riders’ novices’ hurdle at Exeter on 22 October 2013.
Wither Yenot was also his first winner on just his third ride under rules when landing a Plumpton novices’ hurdle the following month on 18 November. Turning for home it looked unlikely, for the leader, Carole’s Destrier, who would later finish second in a Hennessy Gold Cup, looked to have the race in the bag when falling two from home. That left Max and Wither Yenot and V Neck, ridden by A P McCoy, fighting it out for the prize. Wither Yenot battled on well to win by three-quarters of a length.
Wither Yenot was also his first winner on just his third ride under rules when landing a Plumpton novices’ hurdle the following month on 18 November. Turning for home it looked unlikely, for the leader, Carole’s Destrier, who would later finish second in a Hennessy Gold Cup, looked to have the race in the bag when falling two from home. That left Max and Wither Yenot and V Neck, ridden by A P McCoy, fighting it out for the prize. Wither Yenot battled on well to win by three-quarters of a length.
Aged 21, Max turned conditional, based with trainer Graeme McPherson and went on to ride a total of 83 winners over jumps including “a couple of Saturday winners at Ascot”, plus around a dozen in point-to-points.
Aged 21, Max turned conditional, based with trainer Graeme McPherson and went on to ride a total of 83 winners over jumps including “a couple of Saturday winners at Ascot”, plus around a dozen in point-to-points.
Highlights included winning a mares’ handicap hurdle at Ascot on Graceful Legend for Ben Case in November 2017, his first Saturday winner as a conditional; and making all in heavy ground to win the Somerset National at Wincanton aboard Themanfrom Minella, also trained by Ben Case, in January 2018.
Highlights included winning a mares’ handicap hurdle at Ascot on Graceful Legend for Ben Case in November 2017, his first Saturday winner as a conditional; and making all in heavy ground to win the Somerset National at Wincanton aboard Themanfrom Minella, also trained by Ben Case, in January 2018.
In terms of ratings, the best horse he rode was J’Ai Froid, trained by Laura Morgan, winning four handicap hurdles in a row in the early months of 2021, at Ayr and Doncaster in January, Ascot in February, and Warwick in March. That 2020/21 campaign was Max’s most successful numerically with 29 wins.
In terms of ratings, the best horse he rode was J’Ai Froid, trained by Laura Morgan, winning four handicap hurdles in a row in the early months of 2021, at Ayr and Doncaster in January, Ascot in February, and Warwick in March. That 2020/21 campaign was Max’s most successful numerically with 29 wins.
Other career highlights included riding in France and in the Maryland Hunt Cup.
Other career highlights included riding in France and in the Maryland Hunt Cup.
He rode what proved to be the last winner of his career on Joly Maker for trainer Jonjo O’Neill in a handicap chase at Stratford on 1 April 2023.
He rode what proved to be the last winner of his career on Joly Maker for trainer Jonjo O’Neill in a handicap chase at Stratford on 1 April 2023.
Max rode 28 winners for Ben Case and the same number for Fergal O’Brien. He became O’Brien’s full-time head lad in February 2024 and rode only sporadically thereafter, taking just 40 mounts in the 2023/24 season and 15 in 2024/25.
Max rode 28 winners for Ben Case and the same number for Fergal O’Brien. He became O’Brien’s full-time head lad in February 2024 and rode only sporadically thereafter, taking just 40 mounts in the 2023/24 season and 15 in 2024/25.
He had his final ride when finishing fifth on Ted’s Friend, owned by Mrs Carolyn Kendrick, in the Lulu and Peter Mendoza Memorial Handicap Hurdle at Plumpton on 11 May 2025. Ted’s Friend wore a heart monitor in that race, becoming the first jumps horse in the world to be recorded for heart rate during running.
He had his final ride when finishing fifth on Ted’s Friend, owned by Mrs Carolyn Kendrick, in the Lulu and Peter Mendoza Memorial Handicap Hurdle at Plumpton on 11 May 2025. Ted’s Friend wore a heart monitor in that race, becoming the first jumps horse in the world to be recorded for heart rate during running.
Max announced his retirement from the saddle the following week, stating that he would now be focusing on his new role as assistant trainer to Fergal O’Brien.
Max announced his retirement from the saddle the following week, stating that he would now be focusing on his new role as assistant trainer to Fergal O’Brien.
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