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NZ apprentice touches down at Hickmott stable

3 minute read

New Zealand apprentice Kelsey Hannan will make her South Australian riding debut at Murray Bridge on Wednesday.

Kelsey Hannan.
Kelsey Hannan. Picture: Race Images Photo

The 20-year-old is on loan to trainer Michael Hickmott.

"South Australia just provides really good opportunities at the moment," said Hickmott.

"It's a place where Kelsey Hannan can walk in as an experienced apprentice. She'll have a three kilogram metropolitan claim.

"She's an experienced apprentice with a really good CV. We're racing for better prize money here in South Australia than they are in New Zealand, and we are a stable who will support her in the metropolitan area."

Hickmott can see strong similarities between Hannan's career move, and the one that Jess Eaton - the 2021 John Letts medallist - made to his stable back in 2020.

Top New Zealand jumps jockey and young trainer Shaun Phelan made the connection.

"Shaun is a very good friend of mine in New Zealand. He's a wonderful horseman, he's her current boss and educates our horses in New Zealand," Hickmott said.

"He had a chat to me a while ago and said would I be interested in taking her on in a similar situation to when Victorian apprentice Jessica Eaton came over here a couple of years ago.

"I haven't actually spoken to Kelsey because I trust Shaun's judgment well enough as a human being, but I've watched enough of her rides and she looks like a really good, young talent.

"From what I'm led to believe she's got a good racing brain and she's going to be a huge asset to us here in South Australia, as Jessica was when she came over a few seasons ago," he said .

Hannan touches down on Tuesday night and has two rides booked the next day at Murray Bridge including My Boy Jett for John Hyam

"She's got one ride for me," said Hickmott.

"She's riding Ladymeansbusiness. It's a bit of a prophetic name there I suppose. It wasn't on purpose but it would certainly signal some intent."


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