Hassett junior bags first winner as a trainer

Johnny Hassett registered his first winner as a trainer at Dundalk today as the breeze-up consignor landed the opening division of the Fundraise At Dundalk Handicap with Morph Speed

Hassett's namesake father John Hassett is a well known trainer and registered a Cheltenham Festival winner with Generosa in the 1999 Stakis Casinos Final (now the Pertemps Final), 24 hours prior to the mare filling third place in the Coral Cup.

Hassett junior spent time in France as assistant to trainer Vicky Haigh and having returned to Ireland in recent times, today sent out the Ross Coakley partnered Morph Speed, a half-brother to Queen Mary winner Elletelle, to a head win over Sharjah

Afterwards Hassett, who has 20 breeze-up two year olds and two current racehorses, stated “I made an awful hash of training him! I bought him to breeze but I ended up with him.

“I brought him to France but he got a virus. I had ten horses over there but didn't have a winner.

“I ran him once here and he ran moderate over six. To be honest I'm a trader, not a trainer and focus more on the breeze-ups.

“He's good. His sister won the Queen Mary and bred Adelaide so it's a proper pedigree.

“Michael and Eddie O'Leary's sister (Ashley) bred him and has the mare. I bought him off them as a yearling. He was picked out and bought by a judge in Thomond O'Mara.

“It took me a long time to cop that he wanted a trip. Ross Coakley worked him in the Curragh and said 'he wants a trip' so fair play to him and he gave him a great ride there today.

“I'd say he'll be a lovely summer horse for hurdles, that's probably where he's headed. He's for sale as I'm a trader.

“I've had three runners and had a winner and a second now. I've a good strike rate!

“My dad John was on the phone there. He's at home watching on TV with my mother.”

Quotes from Gary Carson