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<\/p>\nFew races attract more whimsical bets from the general public than Australia\u2019s Melbourne Cup. Such is the race\u2019s mainstream appeal with the non-racing public Down Under that wagers on a likeable name, a colour, a lucky number or a whisper from the mailman\u2019s third cousin, twice removed, are common.<\/p>\n
It figures, then, that Thore Hammer-Hansen will attract plenty of attention from Cup punters when he makes his Australian debut next month \u2013 particularly compared to rivals like James McDonald, Craig Williams and Rachel King.<\/p>\n
He\u2019s more than just an unusual name, though. Hammer-Hansen is Germany\u2019s leading rider, a multiple Group 1 winner, successful on three continents and the most recent World All-Stars Jockeys champion in Japan. Yet for many, his name alone \u2013 ripped from Norse mythology \u2013 will be reason enough to back his mount, Henk Grewe-trained Flatten The Curve.<\/p>\n
\u201cI get that all the time, people telling me that it is the best name or their favourite name in racing,\u201d Hammer-Hansen told Idol Horse. \u201cOf course, some people are going to have a bet on that just considering that it is very superhero-orientated, but I can imagine the Melbourne Cup will be on a different scale.\u201d<\/p>\n
For those who find their new favourite in Hammer-Hansen, the first hurdle may be pronunciation. Is it Thor like Thor\u2019s Hammer? Or is there a European twist?<\/p>\n
\u201cIn England, they always said it like \u2018Thor\u2019 but in Germany they pronounce it \u2018Tor-e\u2019,\u201d he said. \u201cI am happy with either, \u2018Thor\u2019 is probably easier for English speakers. I don\u2019t really mind.\u201d<\/p>\n
Name aside, Hammer-Hansen has built a global profile at rare speed, emerging from an upbringing steeped in racing. The 25-year-old was raised near Baden-Baden Racecourse before moving to Britain to complete his apprenticeship under Richard Hannon.<\/p>\n
A student of master trainers like Andr\u00e9 Fabre and Sir Mark Prescott, Hammer-Hansen returned home in 2023. What followed was a breakout 2024: Group 1 wins in the Deutsches Derby and the Grosser Preis von Bayern for Grewe, capped by his first German title.<\/p>\n
While 2025 has yet to deliver a Group 1 win, Hammer-Hansen has all but secured a second straight championship with 74 victories \u2013 matching last year\u2019s total \u2013 and a growing international resume.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe first year after I came back from the UK was very much just getting that base of good rides,\u201d he said. \u201cLast year was a great year and this year has been even better in some ways. I haven\u2019t had that Group 1 winner yet but I\u2019ve been travelling a lot more, I\u2019ve been going to France a bit and having a bit of success there, I\u2019ve had success in America and Japan \u2013 it was a real honour to even be invited to ride in the World All-Star Jockeys series and I believe I represented Germany well.\u201d<\/p>\n
Japan, he hopes, will be back on his itinerary \u2013 this time for a short-term contract.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m aiming to go back there in January and February,\u201d he said. \u201cThere\u2019s nothing certain yet, but I am applying and that\u2019s the plan. The next couple of years, during the winter, I\u2019m trying to get around as much as I can, gaining experience from different countries and their style of racing.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hong Kong is another potential destination. His father Lennart, a prolific jockey in Germany and across Scandinavia, rode there briefly in early 2002, even riding in that year\u2019s Derby.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen my dad went to Hong Kong, myself and my mother went with him,\u201d said. \u201cI was too young to really have any memory of it, but I\u2019ve seen a couple of home videos. It\u2019s definitely a place I\u2019d want to go back to at some stage.\u201d<\/p>\n
For now, his first trip to Australia awaits \u2013 and there appears to be little sign of Hammer Hansen\u2019s curve flattening any time soon. \u220e<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Related<\/p>\n
Melbourne Cup Winner Robbie Dolan Sets Sights On Japan<\/p>\n