{"id":243691,"date":"2025-10-27T15:20:09","date_gmt":"2025-10-27T15:20:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/243691\/"},"modified":"2025-10-27T15:20:09","modified_gmt":"2025-10-27T15:20:09","slug":"friend-who-found-ricky-hatton-dead-says-boxing-legend-has-answered-my-prayers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/243691\/","title":{"rendered":"Friend who found Ricky Hatton dead says boxing legend has ‘answered my prayers’"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\"\"
\n\t\tPaul Speak found Ricky Hatton dead last month (Pictures: Getty\/ITV)<\/p>\n

The man who found Ricky Hatton<\/a> dead says his friend \u2018answered his prayers\u2019 as the horse named after The Hitman won his first race since the boxer\u2019s tragic passing.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Co-owner Ged Mason and Paul Speak, who found Hatton dead at his home in Manchester<\/a>, were at Aintree to watch Freddie Gingell ride 9\/1 shot Hitman to an impressive victory.<\/p>\n

Speaking after the race, Mason said the \u00a345,560 prize money would be donated to the Ricky Hatton Foundation.<\/p>\n

Approaching a clearly emotional Speak, ITV Racing<\/a> commentator Luke Harvey said: \u2018Paul, I can see how emotional you are.<\/p>\n

\u2018I\u2019ve said it before, horses seem to know the right time to win. This horse likes finishing second but he seemed to know today, didn\u2019t he?\u2019<\/p>\n

Speak, who managed Hatton for years and remained a close friend up until his death<\/a>, said: \u2018I\u2019m lost for words. I\u2019m just lost for words.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"RACING-ENG-NICHOLLS\"
\n\t\tPaul Nicholls trains Hitman, named after Ricky Hatton (Picture: Getty)<\/p>\n

\u2018I said a prayer before the race and he [pointing to the sky] answered them. I don\u2019t know what to say, I\u2019m speechless.<\/p>\n

\u2018I looked up and gave a prayer. I said, \u201cdo what you can to help him\u201d \u2013 and he did, he won. Hopefully Ricky\u2019s up there looking down and smiling at us.\u2019<\/p>\n

Mason, who bought Hitman with former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson in 2021 because of the name, added: \u2018We did that for Ricky up there and his foundation, what a great contribution that is.<\/p>\n

\u2018Ricky was a top, top man and he helped so many people. Do speak out if you\u2019ve got problems, that\u2019s what his message would be today.<\/p>\n

\u2018Hitman has been the bridesmaid so many times as you know, he always tries and he\u2019s always up there. We\u2019re so happy he got the win today.\u2019<\/p>\n

Former Grand National-winning jockey Mick Fitzgerald paid tribute to \u2018bonnie horse\u2019 Hitman and said the win was \u2018almost written in the stars\u2019.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Ricky
\n\t\tHatton\u2019s funeral took place in Manchester earlier in the month (Picture: Getty)<\/p>\n

\u2018What 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,\u2019 he said.<\/p>\n

\u2018It\u2019s almost like it was written in the stars. It\u2019s only Freddie\u2019s 20th ride of the season which gives you an idea how tough it\u2019s been for him but he will enjoy this and so will Paul Nicholls because it shows he can still do the job.\u2019<\/p>\n

Winning jockey Gingell, who finished two lengths clear of second-placed Master Chewy, added: \u2018It\u2019s very nice for all the guys.<\/p>\n

To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tbrowser that
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsupports HTML5
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tvideo<\/a><\/p>\n

\t\t\"\"
\n\t\tHatton was one of the best boxers of his generation (Picture: Getty)<\/p>\n

\u2018Obviously all the winnings are going to the Foundation so that\u2019s really nice. It was nice for him to come out today and finally get his head in front.<\/p>\n

\u2018I 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\u00a0winged over the last two fences, it was awesome.<\/p>\n

\u2018He knocked on the door a lot last year but he did it really well today, we\u2019re super happy.\u2019<\/p>\n

Hatton, one of the best and most popular boxers of his generation<\/a>, won world titles at light-welterweight and welterweight.<\/p>\n

An inquest into Hatton\u2019s death at South Manchester Coroner\u2019s Court heard he was found unresponsive by former manager Speak.<\/p>\n

Speak attended Hatton\u2019s home on the morning of September 14 to pick him up for a flight to Dubai.<\/p>\n

Hatton, who was with family members two days before he died<\/a>, had agreed to return to the ring in an exhibition fight in December.<\/p>\n

Thousands lined the streets for\u00a0Hatton\u2019s funeral procession<\/a>, with Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher<\/a> and ex-England striker Wayne Rooney<\/a> among the attendees.<\/p>\n

For more stories like this,\u00a0check our sport page<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on
\nFacebook<\/a>,\u00a0Twitter<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Arrow
\nMORE: Horse racing betting tips today: Cheltenham latest odds and runners<\/a><\/p>\n

Arrow
\nMORE: Are people being too harsh on the Labour government over UK\u2019s relationship with China?<\/a><\/p>\n

Arrow
\nMORE: Ricky Hatton\u2019s brother says boxing legend was \u2018best he\u2019s been by a long way\u2019 before death<\/a><\/p>\n


\n\t\t\tComment now<\/p>\n

\t\t\tComments
\n\t\t<\/a>
\n\t\t\t\tAdd Metro as a Preferred Source on Google<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tAdd as preferred source
\n\t\t\t<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tFootball Newsletter \u2013 In The Mixer<\/p>\n

Your guide to the week in football. Exclusive analysis, FPL tips and transfer talk \u2013 sign up, it\u2019s an open goal.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t