Chris Hayes

Chris Hayes (born 11 August 1987) in County Limerick is an Irish jockey who competes in Flat racing.

Hayes wanted to be a solicitor as a child, but changed his mind when introduced to pony racing. After attending the Racing Academy and Centre of Education (RACE) in Kildare, he joined the stable of Kevin Prendergast in 2004 as an apprentice jockey. He was Irish champion apprentice in 2005, 2006 and 2007.

In 2017 he became first jockey to Fozzy Stack, alongside his role as Prendergast's stable jockey. In September 2019 the partnership achieved another Irish St. Leger win with Search For A Song.

Hayes, together with his wife Rachel, also breeds racehorses. He bought his first broodmare, Butoolat, for 10,000 guineas in 2017 in order to take advantage of his nomination to Awtaad, on whom he had won the 2016 Irish 2,000 Guineas for Prendergast.

Major wins Ireland Flying Five Stakes - (2) - Sole Power (2015), Romantic Proposal (2021) Irish 1,000 Guineas - (2) - Homeless Songs (2022), Tahiyra (2023) Irish 2,000 Guineas - (1) - Awtaad (2016) Irish St. Leger - (2) - Voleuse de Coeurs (2013), Search For A Song (2019) Matron Stakes - (2) - La Collina (2013), Tahiyra (2023) Moyglare Stud Stakes - (1) - Tahiyra (2022)

Great Britain Coronation Stakes - (1) - Tahiyra (2023) Epsom Oaks - (1) - Ezeliya (2024)