Jason Hart hopes for a Safe Voyage in Breeders’ Cup tilt

Just to be at America’s flagship fixture, the so-called world championships of racing, is an honour. To be riding a horse with a leading chance is – simply – a dream come true.

Hart’s first ride in the USA, it just happens to be one of the biggest races of all. “Bloody hell, I’m pinching myself,” the quietly-spoken 26-year-old tells The Yorkshire Post after putting John Quinn’s horse through its paces before tonight’s Breeders’ Cup Mile.

“It’s great to be here – and great to have the opportunity. I’ve watched a lot of the races on TV over many years, but never did I believe I would be riding a horse like Safe Voyage here.”

The Covid-19 pandemic, and absence of any crowds at the Kentucky track, mean there will be none of the traditional celebrity razzmatazz at the two-day meeting which concludes tonight.

“It would have been nice to be here in normal times,” says Hart who grew up in Hawick in the Scottish Borders before moving to Yorkshire to begin a riding career which saw him crowned champion apprentice in 2013.

Though he’s still to win a Group One race – he’s getting closer – he’s widely respected as one of the hardest working members of the weighing room because of a desire and determination to ‘graft’ his way to the top.

But Hart and Safe Voyage are not stateside to make up the numbers in a fiercely competitive race in which 2000 Guineas hero Kameko heads a strong European challenge.

This, after all, is the horse, that provided Quinn, the Malton dual purpose trainer, with his landmark 1,000th winner when streaking clear to land the Surrey Stakes at Epsom on Derby day.

Safe Voyage then went on to win a thrilling renewal of the Sky Bet City of York Stakes at the Ebor Festival, beating the William Haggas-trained One Master, in a hard-fought finish in pouring rain.

The horse then won the Boomerang Mile at Leopardstown on Irish Champions Weekend before finishing a close third to his old rival One Master in the Prix de la Foret at ParisLongchamp.

But Hart is hopeful that his horse will handle the tight left-handed circuit after his seven-year-old mount, owned by Ross Harmon, was given an advantageous draw in stall six which gives the jockey plenty of options at the break.

“I think the track will really suit Safe Voyage.

“I’m just praying there’s a little bit of rain beforehand which would aid his chances,” he reported.

“He’s adapted to it well. He’s a very laid back and good natured horse and we’re just keeping him ticking him over between now and the race.

“This has been the plan for some time. I’ve watched a lot of the races on TV and there are plenty of lads like Ryan (Moore) and Frankie (Dettori) to get advice from. There’s no shortage of that.”

Though Hart has previously ridden out at Santa Anita in California during a winter stint, and where he says learned much about the importance of balance in the saddle, he appears undaunted by the fact that this is his first race in America. “I can’t wait,” he said.

This view is shared by Quinn is saddling his first Breeders’ Cup runner.

He reported: “It’s just brilliant to be here at Breeders Cup. It one of the great race meetings in the world and to have a runner is great.

“He (Safe Voyage) seems to have really settled in now and is happy in himself. I’m really looking forward to Saturday. He’s got a heart of a lion so I’m sure he’ll give it his all as he always does.”

As for Hart, he flies straight back to Britain after the big race before going into Covid self-isolation for seven days.

He’ll then prepare for a winter on the all-weather circuit, a far cry from the Breeders’ Cup, to pay the bills, gain more experience and build more connections.

“I’ll keep kicking and see what happens,” he adds. “But I’m going to enjoy this (Breeders’ Cup) first.”

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