Thore Hammer Hansen sets sights on first Group victory after riding out claim

Royal Ascot-winning rider Thore Hammer Hansen expressed his delight after riding out his claim at Wolverhampton on Tuesday evening aboard Fierospeed for his boss Richard Hannon.

The Cologne-born jockey was made to work hard to record a 95th career win and 34th of the year, with the Tom Marquand-ridden Pretty Start closing menacingly in the final furlong, but Hansen did enough to hold on by a short head.

Hansen said on Wednesday: "It’s obviously something I have been looking forward to for some time now. It’s been my best season to date and I’ve had great support around me. I’ve got a lot of people to thank."

It was fitting Hansen’s win came for Hannon, whom he joined in September 2017 after a spell with Andre Fabre in Chantilly. Hansen said: "The boss has been great to me. He gave me my first UK winner and to give me my last winner before turning professional I couldn’t have wished for anything better."

Hansen, who rode seven winners in his first season in Britain in 2018, highlighted the support of agent Shelley Dwyer. He said: "I absolutely love Shelley. She helps me on and off the track. I couldn’t wish for a better agent.

"Everybody who talks about her never has a bad word to say about her and I’m delighted she put me on her books two years ago. I’ve just taken off since then and everything has progressed nicely."

Dwyer believes the momentum will keep going for Hansen despite no longer being able to claim, saying: "He’s got to go out with the big lads now! He’s a sensible lad and I think he’s good enough and he’ll do well."

Thore Hammer Hansen wants more big race wins like Coeur De Lion at Royal Ascot last yearCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Hansen has already demonstrated his talents on the big stage when he steered the Alan King-trained Coeur De Lion to a 16-1 success in last year’s Ascot Stakes.

"Couer De Lion would be the standout being a Royal Ascot winner," said Hansen. "It’s something I will never forget and what dreams are made of."

However, the 22-year-old is not settling on past achievements as he hopes to utilise a network of contacts in his native Germany to help kick on to the next level.

Hansen, who will be riding in a Group 3 at Hoppegarten this Sunday, added: "Going ahead for the future, riding a Group winner would be the aim. Whether that’s just round the corner or a couple of years down the line no one knows but that’s the next big dream I want to achieve."

Asked if he could possibly emulate the 1,000 plus winners of his father Lennart Hammer Hansen, a former jockey and now successful trainer back in Germany, Hansen said: "If I could do half as well as him I’d be delighted. He always said I have more talent than he had!"

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