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Wayne Hassett has big ambitions for a bright future in the saddle and chief among them in the short-term is getting his hands on the Champion Apprentice crown, writes Lucy Wilde.

It might only be the 18-year-old's second full season riding on the track but he has enjoyed a breakthrough year. 

A red-letter outing in Galway saw Hassett storm to the prestigious Colm Quinn BMW Mile Handicap title in July for Joseph O’Brien.

Mexicali Rose is guided home by @Waynehassett11 in the @ColmQuinn_bmw Mile Handicap 🙌#EveryRacingMoment | @Galway_Racespic.twitter.com/ujANdy9qPo

— Horse Racing Ireland (@HRIRacing) July 30, 2024

That is one of 30 victories he has currently earned, leaving him one clear of Adam Caffrey and James Ryan as the three enjoy a rollercoaster battle to claim the prestigious prize.

“It would mean the absolute world to me to be Champion Apprentice. I’ve been going really well,” Hassett said. 

“Last season, I didn’t think I would get as many wins in my first season but I did, and I got great support from everyone, so to get it done this season would mean everything on my second start.

“There’s a lot of races I’d like to win and one day I’d like to be Champion Jockey, but this season I’d love to be Champion Apprentice.”

The last 12 months have been a whirlwind for the rising star, who is pinching himself at how far he has come in a short space of time.

“I lived with my mother in Kerry for most of my childhood where I did a lot of boxing,” he said.

“It wasn’t until I moved back to Tipperary at the age of 12 to live with my father that I got involved with racing. 

“I used to ride out his ponies at the weekend and my uncle Martin [Hassett] is a horse trainer, so he had plenty of horses for me to ride. My father, uncle and grandfather taught me everything.”

Hassett's familial ties might have formed the magnetic pull for him to pick up the reins, but it's his determined mind that has helped mark him out as one to watch - and enables him to dig deep when it counts the most.

It was exactly this mental resilience that resulted in a gutsy performance at Leopardstown on Irish Champions Weekend, when he was trusted with a ride by Champion Trainer Aidan O’Brien and delivered the goods.

“To get my first win for Aidan O’Brien in my second-ever ride on Fighter, that’s the highlight of this year,” he said. “Fighter ran away for the first two furlongs but eventually he relaxed.

“For him to pull so hard and then relax and kick on the way he did for me, it was fantastic. I was very grateful that day. 

“To see my name jocked up on the horse on the morning of declarations, I was over the moon, I couldn’t wait to get out there. I hoped the horse would have a fair chance that day. 

“He did a fair gallop down the back straight, I didn’t think he would keep it up, but he kept going. I couldn’t get him to pull up at the end which is a sign of a good horse - he just wanted to keep going. It was brilliant.”

Hassett is grateful for all the tips he has picked up from his next-door neighbour Seamie Heffernan, who he regularly goes racing with, as well as Dylan Browne McMonagle – Champion Apprentice himself in 2021 and 2022.

McMonagle is also based at Joseph O’Brien’s yard and the trainer has been a key guiding hand to Hassett over the course of his busiest ever summer.

“Joseph is very good with advice, he’s very straightforward,” he said. “If you ask him a question he’ll answer it back.

“He’s always there when you want him, picks up the phone when you need him, and has helped me a lot. 

“I’ve learned a lot from him, to think before I speak and that when I make a mistake, I have to learn from it and train not to repeat it again. 

“He’s also very good because he doesn’t look outside the yard for riders. Once you’re in the team you’re in. He’ll use you and support you really well. I’m very grateful for all the help he’s given me.”

Quotes supplied by Dave Keena