Hamish

“Hamish is an absolute legend and I love him to bits. I only got on him as a three-year-old because he was so naughty and wouldn't go anywhere. So I got him going and stuck with him because I like him. The fact he's got a lot of ability helps but he's just so light on his feet and athletic. He's fun to ride and I love riding him. He's got a bit lazy as he's got older and you just need to encourage him a bit, but I suppose when you're as old as he is, you're entitled to be a little laid back. I don't think he's had his ground all year but he had it today. All year long he's felt really good at home, so there was no reason not to run him. Why shouldn't he come back? [next year]. He's enjoying it and likes training and going out every day. I still think he's got another year in him - Maureen Haggas, trainer's assistant.”

“We hadn't quite had enough rain, but Hamish hasn't run for three months and we thought the ground was safe enough. We're hoping to have a good autumn campaign with him, so we wanted to give him a good run. You get them fit for a first run and then you have to keep them at a certain level in case it rains, so they can run at any given moment, which is not so easy - Maureen Haggas, assistant trainer, talking to Sky Sports Racing.”

“Hamish was pretty naughty at the start but he's been crying out for a race for a long time. He needs soft ground and we haven't had any. He's been ready to go since the John Porter, which was the middle of April, so he was just pretty bored now and he needed a day out. I ride him every day and he doesn't feel like a nine-year-old, he feels great - Maureen Haggas, trainer's assistant, speaking on Racing TV.”

“Hamish did what you wanted to see. We got a nice run around from a good draw and everything went well - Richard Kingscote, rider.”

“I thought Hamish ran really well. The winner is a very good horse and I never expected to beat him. To run as close to him as he did is great. We're really pleased. There's only one more race for him in England [the St Simon Stakes] but that's next Saturday, so it will come too quick. I don't know if there's anything left for him in France, but he loves soft ground and is in great form - Maureen Haggas, trainer's assistant.”

“I'm thrilled. Hamish could have done with more rain. It wasn't wet enough and I asked William this morning if we were doing the right thing but it might not rain for three months so you've got to run. He's like my pet and is a bloody star - Maureen Haggas, trainer's wife.”

“I was delighted. Hamish doesn't really do a lot in front. The ground wasn't really soft enough, he had a 3lb penalty but he keeps winning. It'll be the Ormonde or the Yorkshire Cup - it always rains at Chester, so I suppose it'll be that next - William Haggas, trainer.”

“Hamish has been great. He needs that slow ground so it's never easy, but he's had his problems and we've needed to look after him. It's because he's been looked after that he's still able to do this. He's not easy. He was very naughty at Goodwood, he doesn't like it there, and he can be difficult. I was a bit worried about today but we saddled him in the stables and it's gone like clockwork, so I'm relieved really. He doesn't like Newbury either, so I was quite pleased the race was called off and he didn't go. I hope he'll be back next year, as long as he's in one piece. He has nothing to do other than be a racehorse, or my hack, and I think he'd rather be a racehorse - Maureen Haggas, trainer's assistant and wife.”

“Hamish won't run in the Ebor. He's hard to place. The Irish St Leger is a possibility, but he wants soft ground - William Haggas, trainer.”

“Hamish is a great horse and he got Tom out of a bit of trouble today. He's in the Irish St Leger, he's in everything in case it rains. He handles really horrible conditions whereas a lot of the classier horses don't. We'll see what the weather does and go where the ground suits him - Maureen Haggas, assistant trainer.”

“There's the St Simon Stakes for Hamish, but I don't know about the penalties for that. We'll see, but he loves this soft ground - Maureen Haggas, wife of William Haggas, trainer.”

“Hamish has done really well because he was a little bit fresh and would have needed it. We haven't been on the grass at all because the ground has been so firm. He had the penalty as well. I walked the course and thought it couldn't be that bad with the rain yesterday and it's going to be better than York next week. I'd imagine he'd go for the Hardwicke but we'll see because it all depends on the ground and if it's firm he won't be going anywhere - Maureen Haggas, trainer's wife.”

“Hamish was fit and well but has obviously been off the track for a long time and was a bit fresh and gassy today. He's a talented horse. He had great form as a 3yo and ran a really good race in the Hardwicke last year, where unfortunately he picked up his tendon injury. He needs soft ground and we ran him today as we needed to get out and give him a race as he was ready to go. We aim at the stayers' race on Champions Day at Ascot and work back from that -Maureen Haggas, assistant trainer.”

“Hamish was giving away lumps of weight and he's done it well really. I thought the ground might be a bit quick for him in the Melrose but he won regardless. I think he's at his best on slower ground, like a lot of the family. I wouldn't have thought he'll run again this year, he's won two nice races now - Maureen Haggas, trainer's wife.”