Glen Hatt

Top South African jockey GLEN HATT (49) has served the industry with pride and plenty of success over his more than three-decade old career. The Cape Town born jockey has amassed well over 2000 winners during his illustrious career, including 27 Grade 1 wins, 86 other graded successes as well as winning two provincial title’s in his hometown. He has also acquitted himself well abroad and was Mauritius champion jockey for three consecutive seasons. He has won every Group race on the island at least once and holds the record for the most winners there by a foreign jockey. Glen has twice been victorious in the J & B Met but is still searching for that elusive win in the Vodacom Durban July. He has secured the mount on trainer Geoff Woodruff’s top class three-year old filly, DO YOU REMEMBER, in this year’s race and will be hoping to improve on his best finishing position of third in the race. We and all the Glen Hatt followers will be watching the race with keen interest and would like to wish Glen everything of the best in the race.

  

What is your name?  Glen Hatt.

What is your star sign and birthdate?  Gemini and I was born on 12 June 1964.

Where were you born and where did you grow up?   Born in Cape Town. Grew up in Fish Hoek.

Where do you live? Melkbosstrand.

Tell us about your family? Married to Lara and have 2 beautiful girls Jorja and Madison aged 9 and 7 respectively.

Do you have a ‘nickname’? Fat hat from my academy days.

Favourite food? A good steak on the braai.

Favourite drink? I enjoy brandy and coke.

Favourite music?  Anything with a good vibe.

Favourite sport?  Golf and rugby.

Favourite soccer team?  No particular team.

Favourite holiday destination?  When I can get one, anywhere with the family.

Favourite author?  Bryce Courtney.

Mention some of your hobbies? I enjoy fishing and golf.

Which characteristic about yourself do you like the most? Just being honest and giving of my best in everything I do.

Is there anything the public don’t know about Glen Hatt that they would be interested to know?  I hold the record for the most winners by a foreign jockey on the island of Mauritius.

Who is the one person that you would love to meet and why? It would have to be Nelson Mandela.

Where did you go to school and what qualification did you achieve? Passed standard 9 at Fish Hoek and then continued at the academy by passing matric.

Who was the main person that influenced you to become a jockey? I would have to say my parents and myself.

In which year did you begin your apprenticeship, where were you based and who were your fellow apprentices at the academy? I was indentured in 1980 and qualified in 1985 in Cape Town. Robbie Fradd and Piere Strydom were my fellow apprentices based in Cape Town.

Which senior people in racing had a major influence on you early on in your career? Alan Higgins and Garth Puller.

You have enjoyed an illustrious career in horseracing. Tell us about it?  I have been fortunate to have ridden for most of the top trainers in SA and have had numerous successes for all of them. My main aim is to win the July.

Can you remember your first winner?  Ombarium for Vaughan Marshall at Scottsville.

Total winners to date, including overseas?  2139.

Total Grade 1 winners? 27.

Total of other Graded winners? 86.

Best finishing position on National Jockey’s Log? 4^th.

How many times have you won the Cape Jockey’s Title?  Twice.

Have you won Jockey Title’s in any other provinces? Once in Natal whilst riding for the late Mike Airey in 1996.

How many July’s, Met’s and Summer Cups have you won? Only 2 Mets still looking for July after numerous placings.

Best finishing position in the July? 3^rd.

Which is your favourite Grade 1 race to ride in? Being a true blue Capetonian, it is obviously the Met.

Apart from the above three, which other Grade 1 races in South Africa have you won? I have won the Gold Cup 3 times, also the SA Fillies Sprint 3 times and the Fillies Guineas twice.

Best racehorse you have seen in your life, either in the flesh or on the television? Must be  Frankel and Horse Chestnut.

Mention the different countries you have ridden in?  Only Australia for one month where I had two winners, and Mauritius.

Overseas achievements i.e. Jockey’s Championships, Grade 1 winners etc.? I won the Jockeys Championship 3 years in a row in Mauritius and  every single Group race on the Island.

Most competitive jockey you have ridden against? Garth Puller in South Africa.

Best friend you have made within horseracing? Too many to mention. I treat everyone with the same respect.

Best advice you have received about this wonderful sport, from whom did it come and more importantly, what was it? Many years ago Atholl Fisher (Cape Town trainer) said to me and I quote “son, there is nothing better than straight talk” and I have lived my life by that.

Most famous racing person that you have met? I rode a winner at Durbanville for Geoff Woodruff. It was owned by Lester Piggot who was there to lead her in.

Did you meet the late great Sir Henry Cecil?  In my dreams.

Favourite South African racecourse?  Kenilworth.

Favourite overseas racecourse? Mauritius.

You and trainer Joey Ramsden have struck up a highly successful partnership for many years now. How did this partnership materialize and how would you describe Joey? After winning the championship in Mauritius in 1999 I relocated to SA and Joey asked me to ride for him. I rode Joey’s first winner for him as a trainer in his own right, and from then on we have always been good friends.

How often do you ride work and is it solely for Joey? I ride work 4 days during the week for Joey and, at the same time, try and get to the other trainers.  Due to Joey’s big string it is not always that easy.

Mention some of the top horses that you guys have in the yard at present? Obviously, Variety Club and Blueridge Mountain.

Are there some younger horses that the public can follow? Red Ray has obviously stood out but there are numerous others.

The champion miler VARIETY CLUB must be really close to your heart as you partnered him early on in his career. Tell us about his temperament and how do you think he will fare on the world stage? I think he has proved himself without me having to add anything. I always said, whenever I came back on him after a workout, that he just keeps on impressing me and he is probably the best 2 year old I have ever ridden. He has really settled down as he has matured. He would do SA proud on any overseas trip.

What feelings go through your mind regarding Anton riding all the Jooste’s horses? I knew when I started back riding for Joey that Anton would have first choice due to his contract with Markus Jooste. I would be lying if I said it did not hurt though especially when you are bringing them up through, their early races and you can feel how good they are.

RED RAY has been highly touted by the stable and despite finishing second in a Grade 1 on the Highveld last time, he didn’t disgrace himself. What type of feel does he give you after Joey stated that he is even better than Variety Club? Do you share the same sentiment? He is a lovely horse but maybe Anton should answer that question.

The Vodacom Durban July is just a fortnight away. You have a very decent record in major races and have you secured yourself a ride as yet? I am riding Do You Remember for Geoff Woodruff.

Pick out 3 horses from the current field that you think will be very competitive should they get into the July? I feel the older horses might have the edge, but I think the July is still very open.

For those trainer’s that are likely to read this, what is the minimum weight that Glen Hatt can ride in the July?  Years ago the bottom weight could have been 50 kgs but not anymore. But for the July I would do the bottom weight if I felt it had a chance.

Mention a few young jockey’s coming through the ranks that have caught your eye? Not too many sadly, one minute they are looking good and next thing they do the most stupid things.

Many of the stalwart racegoers value Glen Hatt’s assessments, especially on big racedays and during the lead-up to the July you usually participate in panel discussions. Do you enjoy these forums? I do, but at the same time we are talking about animals and many racing people have been left with egg on their faces after making certain predictions. I only say what I really feel. Hopefully it will be the same this year.

You were great at the Hollywood July Panel Discussion last year and even tipped your rank outsider Eton Square to fill the minor placing’s, which he duly did. What did you make of the vibe at the function and will you be there again, come the 4^th of July 2013? I  intend being there for the week prior to the July. The vibe was amazing. I wish we could have that down in Cape Town for our big races.

Do you have a sponsor and how important do you think it is for jockey’s to be sponsored? I am not sponsored at the moment, but it does mean a lot to the jockeys, in my opinion, and should be encouraged.

What are your short/long term ambitions? Basically to carry on looking for a top horse that cannot be taken away by Anton (joke).

What is your preferred way to celebrate a big win? Celebrate with family and the connections involved.

What advice can you offer to youngsters who wish to become a successful jockey? Never give up trying and believe in yourself.

Does the old maxim, “Behind every successful man is an equally successful woman,” apply to Glen Hatt? I am proud to say that my wife Lara has stood behind me from day one!