The man who found Ricky Hatton dead says his friend ‘answered his prayers’ as the horse named after The Hitman won his first race since the boxer’s tragic passing.
The Paul Nicholls-trained Hitman stormed to victory in the Old Roan Chase at Aintree, winning a race for the first time in three years.
Co-owner Ged Mason and Paul Speak, who found Hatton dead at his home in Manchester, were at Aintree to watch Freddie Gingell ride 9/1 shot Hitman to an impressive victory.
Speaking after the race, Mason said the £45,560 prize money would be donated to the Ricky Hatton Foundation.
Approaching a clearly emotional Speak, ITV Racing commentator Luke Harvey said: ‘Paul, I can see how emotional you are.
‘I’ve said it before, horses seem to know the right time to win. This horse likes finishing second but he seemed to know today, didn’t he?’
Speak, who managed Hatton for years and remained a close friend up until his death, said: ‘I’m lost for words. I’m just lost for words.
‘I said a prayer before the race and he [pointing to the sky] answered them. I don’t know what to say, I’m speechless.
‘I looked up and gave a prayer. I said, “do what you can to help him” – and he did, he won. Hopefully Ricky’s up there looking down and smiling at us.’
Mason, who bought Hitman with former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson in 2021 because of the name, added: ‘We did that for Ricky up there and his foundation, what a great contribution that is.
‘Ricky was a top, top man and he helped so many people. Do speak out if you’ve got problems, that’s what his message would be today.
‘Hitman has been the bridesmaid so many times as you know, he always tries and he’s always up there. We’re so happy he got the win today.’
Former Grand National-winning jockey Mick Fitzgerald paid tribute to ‘bonnie horse’ Hitman and said the win was ‘almost written in the stars’.
‘What a bonnie horse. Freddie and Paul will enjoy this because they will know what it means to Ged and Paul, they will get a great kick out of this,’ he said.
‘It’s almost like it was written in the stars. It’s only Freddie’s 20th ride of the season which gives you an idea how tough it’s been for him but he will enjoy this and so will Paul Nicholls because it shows he can still do the job.’
Winning jockey Gingell, who finished two lengths clear of second-placed Master Chewy, added: ‘It’s very nice for all the guys.
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‘Obviously all the winnings are going to the Foundation so that’s really nice. It was nice for him to come out today and finally get his head in front.
‘I thought I might have been too close too soon but I managed to fill him up [with energy], I gave him a squeeze a few out and he took off and winged over the last two fences, it was awesome.
‘He knocked on the door a lot last year but he did it really well today, we’re super happy.’
Hatton, one of the best and most popular boxers of his generation, won world titles at light-welterweight and welterweight.
An inquest into Hatton’s death at South Manchester Coroner’s Court heard he was found unresponsive by former manager Speak.
Speak attended Hatton’s home on the morning of September 14 to pick him up for a flight to Dubai.
Hatton, who was with family members two days before he died, had agreed to return to the ring in an exhibition fight in December.
Thousands lined the streets for Hatton’s funeral procession, with Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher and ex-England striker Wayne Rooney among the attendees.
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