The Ridler Wins Norfolk Stakes With Controversial Run

Paul Hanagan could hardly have hoped for a better start to life as a freelancer after landing the June 16 Norfolk Stakes (G2) with 50-1 shot The Ridler .

It has been a turbulent month for the dual champion jockey and he could not hide his emotion after winning for Richard Fahey, with whom his formal association came to an abrupt end last month.

The 41-year-old jockey first joined the Malton handler at the age of 17 and has ridden a host of big winners for the trainer during an enduring partnership, including a poignant success on Perfect Power in last year's race after recovering from a career-threatening injury.

"I'm lost for words," said Hanagan. "There's so much going on but I'm trying to enjoy this. I've had a few setbacks with injuries and other things, but I'm here in the winner's enclosure at Royal Ascot.

"It's the best way to get things going again. Myself and Richard have had so many good days and it's great to add another one. It can be tough for freelancers, so this was huge—and I'm getting emotional.

"My lads are growing up and they've been coming home and asking if I've had any winners—I can go back and say I've had one here."

There will be plenty of material for him to draw on when he recounts the story. The Ridler became the biggest-priced winner of the group 2 race but it was controversial as the winner veered violently across the track and badly hampered Crispy Cat  and Brave Nation.

50/1 shock in the opener! The Ridler wins the Norfolk for @RichardFahey and Paul Hanagan at Royal @Ascot!@BreedersCup #WinAndYoureIN pic.twitter.com/Juh6YLF1Ip

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 16, 2022

The jockey was given a 10-day suspension after the incident and added: "I definitely deserved a ban—without a doubt—but I did think 10 days was a bit harsh. I go around every day, see interference every day, and sometimes I wonder how a jockey hasn't picked up days.

"He pricked his ears in front and I always felt he was clear. I don't think they had to stop riding. He's still very green and a baby. I put my stick down to get him straight, so I couldn't have done much more. There's lots of emotions right now."

The same was true for owner Steve Bradley, who described winning as the best day of his life alongside his marriage and having children.

Owing to a distinctive reverse question mark on the horse's face, the winner was named after The Riddler (spelt with a double D), one the most longstanding enemies of Batman.

"The Riddler has loads of question marks on all his outfits, including in reverse," said Bradley. "As soon as he was born, it was a no-brainer. Weatherbys didn't like it with two Ds, so we settled for one and the rest is history.

"They were a bit worried about the copyright. They didn't want to take on whoever owns the comic these days and got a sweat on about that. I think the comic book company has got more money than I have!"

The Ridler could next be aimed at the Prix Morny (G1), and Fahey added: "I didn't think he was a 50-1 shot. He's a good, hardy horse. We had him in the Coventry (G2) and had a long chat about it before opting to come here.

"We'll get Ascot out the way before we think about the future, but we'd think about a flat six furlongs.

Owned by Bradley, The Ridler replaces 1997 winner Tippitt Boy, who scored at 33-1, as the longest-priced winner of the Norfolk Stakes, a Breeders' Cup Challenge "Win and You're In" qualifier that grants the winner an automatic berth in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G1T) at Keeneland this fall.