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'I've no chance of being champion - I just can't get good rides in handicaps'
David Jennings chats to Ballydoyle's number one rider in Ireland at the moment
In our fantasy world of dreamers and chancers, where trainers think their 48-rated handicapper will win an Ebor one day and apprentices are adamant it is only a matter of time before they start riding Classic winners, there is something so satisfying about being served up a large portion of realism.
"It's highly unlikely that I will be champion jockey," says 47-year-old Seamie Heffernan. He means it too.
"I'd actually say very highly unlikely. I mean I would love to be, and I will give it my best shot, but my outside rides are all massive outsiders with no chance. I don't ride for anyone else really, only Aidan, and our best horses will go to England and France later in the season so it's going to be very hard.
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Published on inInterviews
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- It's been a quarter of a century since we started - here's how we've seen the sport we love change
- 'You can see why people end up struggling - when you're trying to pay the electric bill, losing one ride can be massive'
- 'I've never paid six figures for a horse and never will - I learned pretty quickly you're only one phone call away from f*** all'
- 'I’ve trained some fabulous horses, worked with some excellent riders - maybe I have brought a little bit of talent to the table as well'
- ‘When you’re in the moment and you’re starved, you’re ready to explode - everything built up and I just lost my s**t’