More Honours for Hayley

Te Akau apprentice jockey Hayley Hassman collected another prestigious award at the Northern Apprentice Awards, sponsored again by Milan Park, and held on 21 September in Cambridge. 

During the awards' ceremony, Hassman (20) was presented with the Taiki Yanagida Trophy for Most Dedicated to Success.

Winner of the Toby Autridge Trophy for Most Promising First Year Apprentice at the corresponding awards in 2025, Hassman also won the The Lindsay Family Champion Apprentice Award at the Matamata Racing Club Awards earlier in September, for a second time. 

Hassman finished last season 11th on the Jockey Table, and was third leading apprentice, with 59 wins and over $1.6 million in stake money earnings, and currently sits in the top 20 with seven wins this season.

“It was at the Eden in Cambridge, which is an amazing venue, and the nibbles were dangerously good for us jockeys,” Hassman said. “It was really well put together, great atmosphere, heaps of people there and everyone dressed up. 

“The award was made even more special because Ted (McLachlan) is my manager and I ride quite a bit for Pam (Gerard) at Ballymore, and they all sponsored it.

“I didn’t know Taiki (Yanagida), but have friends that were really close to him and he sounds like an amazing guy, so receive an award that commemorates him is very special.”

In addition to the opportunities presented when working for Te Akau Racing – Premiership winning stable for the past seven years – and trainers Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson, Hassman was accepted into the first intake, in 2025, to the Elite Jockey Programme. 

Developed by New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) and overseen by riding masters Noel Harris, Kim Clapperton and Jason Laking, the three-year programme includes guidance from leading high-performance sports' personnel, in fitness, psychology, and diet.

Hassman attributes to her success, factors such as experience, improved technique, thought processes, and quality horses, while she is quick to point out the benefits of the Elite Jockey Programme.

“The Te Akau team has been amazing, and with Sam (Bergerson) we chat every morning about upcoming rides and each week we go through replays. It’s good to get that feedback from the trainer and seeing it through their eyes. 

“They’re giving me massive support and trusting me on such good quality horses, so to be entrusted with that and to get the results is really satisfying.

“There are plenty of horses, plenty of opportunities, and the fact that they will send me south to ride their horses in the South Island, too. It’s nice to ride down there, and all the horses in the Te Akau stables at Riccarton are just so happy and love their work.”

Main picture - Hayley left with her manager Ted McLachlan