Mexicali Rose and Wayne Hassett © Photo Healy Racing
Wayne Hassett rode the biggest winner of his career to date when guiding Mexicali Rose to success in the featured COLM QUINN BMW Mile Handicap at Galway.
One of the leading young apprentices over the last couple of seasons, Hassett produced the Joseph O'Brien trained 12/1 chance from off the pace to land a memorable victory.
Well away from stalls, Mexicali Rose sat seventh early on, as Blues Emperor and Bill Silvers led the way. The former went on entering the straight but was headed by This Songisforyou over a furlong out.
However, the Emmet Mullins trained geldings lead was short lived as Mexicali Rose mowed him down over 150 yards out, keeping on strongly to hold the late challenge of Norwalk Havoc
Winning rider Wayne Hassett said: "Joseph gave me loads of confidence going out, we broke a little slow but they went a good gallop and that's what she needed. Wherever I pointed her she went, she fought her way through and she really came up the hill.
"I rode her in Gowran last time out when they went a little too slow for her as she wants a good pace and further. Everything went perfect today and she might improve again."
He added "Joseph puts confidence in me and his other jockeys and it pays off. He is wonderful to work with, he helps me out every day and everything I need, I ask him. Whatever I ask the jockeys in Joseph's, including Shane Crosse who is retired now, they teach me and you learn something new every day."
"I'm delighted to get this win under my belt and thanks to Joseph and Kevin Blake. I came up thinking I had a good chance and thank god she won."
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes.
