THE mastermind behind Malton star Paul Hanagan’s successful fight to be Britain’s champion jockey says the rider’s victory is “fully deserved”.

Musley Bank-based trainer Richard Fahey provided 95 of the 30-year-old’s 191 winners as he pipped Richard Hughes by two to be crowned the country’s best rider.

Hanagan has been with Fahey for 14 years – starting out as an apprentice with the Irishman before taking on the position of stable jockey at the yard.

He was forced to travel up and down the country, clocking up an estimated 60,000 miles, throughout the campaign in a relentless search for winners to keep his championship rival at bay.

And after Hanagan took the title at Doncaster on Saturday, Fahey said: “It’s wonderful. It’s some achievement and it’s quite emotional. It’s been very tough for the last three weeks. He’s been down south away from home but it’s nice to do it up here.

“He has fully deserved it. He’s put all the work in. It’s a bit like the Dingles and David and Goliath situation all rolled into one.”

He added: “I’m proud of him, the way he’s ridden, the way he’s conducted himself, everything. I couldn’t be more pleased. What Paul has achieved is something out of the ordinary, especially for a northern jockey. It’s massive, absolutely massive.”

Kevin Darley, in 2000, was the last northern rider to win the championship, and he was the first since Elijah Wheatley in 1905 to land the prestigious title.

Hanagan’s total of 191 winners was also the most recorded by a champion since Kieren Fallon’s 207 in 2003.

He arrived at Doncaster leading Hughes by two winners and both jockeys looked to have a strong book of rides. But neither were able to add another winner to their tally and, after his rival failed to win the feature race – the totesport.com November Handicap – on Senate, Hanagan could finally relax.

Cheered all the way back to the weighing room, where he was hugged by his colleagues, Hanagan said: “I’m gobsmacked to be honest. I’d be here all day if I was to thank everybody who has helped me. They know who they are.

“I’ve been in front from day one. I’ve lived the past week out of a suitcase going to Kempton and Lingfield.”

Hanagan’s wife, Anna, who is racing secretary to Fahey, added: “He’s been so negative about his chance, worrying that he wouldn’t do it. But the pressure is off now and he has done it, it’s absolutely brilliant and no one can take it away from him.

“It’s stressful but you have to keep going and it’s all worth it for days like these. It’s your life, it’s just fantastic.

“Even if he hadn’t done it, he had done so well. But he’s the champion now.”

Hanagan’s agent Richard Hale added: “There’s nobody better to work with (than Paul). I’ve been with him about 12 years since he started and I don’t remember one cross word. He just isn’t that type of bloke.

“He just doesn’t do arguments and seems to come alive when he gets on a horse. He has a ruthless streak when he’s on a horse.

“I don’t think too many people would begrudge him what he’s got.

“It’s been great for racing. It shows racing needs to get behind the personalities. It’s every bit as important as the obsession with gambling. We need to focus more on the personalities like in football. There’s a lot of mileage in that.”