Tributes pour in for talented apprentice Ngakau Hailey after tragic road accident

Lincoln Farms’ boss John Street today added to the growing list of tributes for apprentice jockey Ngakau Hailey who died in a road accident yesterday.

Hailey, 18, was killed when his motorbike was involved in a collision with a car in central Hamilton.

Street and his business manager Ian Middleton met Hailey 15 months ago when he rode their horse Billy Lincoln to victory at Pukekohe.

Ngakau Hailey after winning on Billy Lincoln at Pukekohe in 2024. PHOTO: Trish Dunell.And he recalled how only a brave ride from Hailey saw Billy Lincoln prevail, when he squeezed through a narrow gap near the fence for a long head win.

“It was a great ride and I actually met his mother after the race. She had all the family there from Gisborne.

“When Lynne and I left the course we saw her with all the kids in a van and went over to say hello. I gave her $200 so they could all have KFC for lunch and she was over the moon.”

Street said losing Hailey at such a young age was a terrible blow for everyone and he would be contributing to the Givealittle page set up by fellow jockey Wiremu Pinn.

The fund, to help pay for Hailey’s funeral, has already topped $14,000.

Jockeys at today’s race meeting at Cambridge are expected to hold a special commemoration for their fallen mate who rode his first winner on the course in June, 2023. And, ironically, it could well mark a return to winning form for Billy Lincoln who has not scored since Hailey rode him 11 starts ago.

Billy Lincoln will line up a $3.90 favourite in the sixth race on the synthetic footing where he has racked up his two recent second placings.

Ngakau Hailey squeezed through a narrow gap to get up by a long head. PHOTO: Trish Dunell.And with another rookie apprentice on board, in Jack Taplin, he will have his weight reduced by 4kg to 56kg, making him very hard to beat, according to trainer Stephen Marsh.

“He’ll jump from seven, put himself right up on the speed, probably lead, and be a very nice each-way chance.”

Hailey, who was apprenticed to Te Awamutu trainer Debbie Sweeney, was in his third season riding and had already notched 46 winners of $1.4 million in stakes.

After he won his first race, Hailey told how he had ridden horses since he was very young.

Born in Te Puia Springs on the East Coast, he loved nothing better than jumping on a horse and riding into the bush.

“I have been bareback riding since I was a baby,” he said.

Hailey’s dream to become a NRL player was foiled because he never grew but when he tried trackwork riding he said he fell in love.