Hanagan driven to succeed in the name of Fahey

PAUL HANAGAN has an added incentive to win tomorrow's Darley July Cup '“ one of the country's premier six-furlong sprints '“ on the Yorkshire challenger Sands Of Mali.
Sands Of Mali and Paul Hanagan, right, win the Sandy Lane Stakes at Haydock.Sands Of Mali and Paul Hanagan, right, win the Sandy Lane Stakes at Haydock.
Sands Of Mali and Paul Hanagan, right, win the Sandy Lane Stakes at Haydock.

Not only would it complete a personal hat-trick, having won the 2012 and 2015 renewals on Mayson and Muhaarar respectively, it would also be another significant success for his longstanding mentor Richard Fahey.

This is where Hanagan’s priority rests. Champion jockey in 2010 and 2011 before a Classic-winning stint as retained rider to Sheikh Hamdan al Maktoum, the 37-year-old’s stated ambition is to make Malton-based Fahey the country’s No 1 trainer.

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It is not a forlorn proposition. Prior to racing yesterday only Middleham’s Mark Johnston had saddled more winners this year than Fahey, who landed his 100th triumph earlier this week.

Wells farhh Go galloped into St Leger contention when winning the Bahrain Trophy under David Allan at Newmarket.Wells farhh Go galloped into St Leger contention when winning the Bahrain Trophy under David Allan at Newmarket.
Wells farhh Go galloped into St Leger contention when winning the Bahrain Trophy under David Allan at Newmarket.

Yet, unlike the jockeys’ champion that is determined by the number of winners, prize money accrued over the calendar year is the benchmark against which trainers are measured.

Here Fahey’s £1.6m leaves him in fifth place behind leader John Gosden (84 winners and £3.1m) and second-placed Ireland’s Aidan O’Brien (11 winners and £2.8m) as the latter focuses exclusively on the most valuable races.

But Hanagan, who credits Fahey with supplying the winners that enabled him to fulfil his own personal ambitions, believes that it is not an insurmountable challenge following the stable’s success with multiple Group One winner Ribchester last year.

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He hopes Sands Of Mali – a desperately unlucky loser in Royal Ascot’s Commonwealth Cup last month – can win a deserved Group One prize and, in doing so, help his trainer to attract the owners, and horses, who could take the flourishing Musley Bank stables to the top.

Winning combination: Jockey Paul Hanagan and trainer Richard Fahey bid for glory in the Darley July Cup.Winning combination: Jockey Paul Hanagan and trainer Richard Fahey bid for glory in the Darley July Cup.
Winning combination: Jockey Paul Hanagan and trainer Richard Fahey bid for glory in the Darley July Cup.

“I just want to do well for Richard,” said Hanagan, in an exclusive interview with The Yorkshire Post. “He’s been there for me from day one in 1999. Even when I left to take the Hamdan job I was still riding plenty for Richard.

“I’m not really thinking about being champion jockey, but I would love him to be champion trainer. Hopefully Sands of Mali can help. With Ribchester last year, and other horses, he’s shown what he can do.

“If you can get two or three Group One winners coming through at the same time, I believe it is possible. His achievements have won the respect of most of the country.

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“He’s just been growing and growing. You only have to drive into the yard in the morning to see how it has changed. It’s amazing place to be at. It’s going from strength to strength.”

As for Sands Of Mali, who came to prominence when winning York’s Gimcrack Stakes at last year’s Ebor festival, before notable triumphs at Chantilly and Haydock earlier this year, Hanagan can forgive the horse’s very narrow defeat at Royal Ascot.

An unfavourable draw meant he had to come up the stand side rail while the main protagonists – including the victor Eqtidaar who reopposes tomorrow – were grouped together in the centre of the track.

Though the jockey was too gracious to offer excuses in the aftermath of the contest, he has now watched the replay on several occasions and offers this reassessment. “I thought we were desperately unlucky with the draw,” he ventured.

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“It was two separate races and it all happened away from me. I was on my side and I just didn’t have anything to race with early on. As soon as I got near Eqtidaar in the final stages of the race, my horse knuckled down and was closing all the time.

“Another couple of strides and he would have won. He was well on top when we finally pulled up. I wouldn’t change the tactics – I would ride him again exactly the same – but I would have liked a better draw.

“He’s a very good horse. He’s as hard as nails. He has a great temperament for a sprinter. In time. I think he will stay further and that would give him more options.”

Wells Farhh Go boosted his St Leger claims with an all-the-way success in the Bahrain Trophy at Newmarket.

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Winner of the Acomb Stakes at York last season, Tim Easterby’s stable star is now a leading player for the final Classic of the season at Doncaster on September 15. “He is getting there and by September (Leger) he will be spot on,” said the Great Habton trainer.

Easterby’s view was shared by jockey David Allan who added: “We know he stays, we were talking about the Leger at the end of last season, so he’s definitely got the stamina. I thought this time I would let him use himself out in front and make sure he gallops out to the line. One thing he has got is a strong will to win.”

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