Three-time British champion Richard Hughes will retire from riding at the end of the Flat season to embarking on a training career next year.
The 42-year-old has enjoyed great success in the saddle and has most recently struck up a fruitful partnership with Richard Hannon snr and the former trainer’s son, Richard jnr.
Hughes, the son of the late Dessie Hughes, is adamant he has what it takes to make the switch.
“I’m really looking forward to it. I’m confident I can do a job and wouldn’t be heading in that direction if I didn’t think I could do it,” Hughes said.
“It’s going to be a sad day going into the weighing room for the last time, but I’m not going to retire because I’m going downhill.
“My full commitment is to ride this year.
“Last year was my best season, and Richard Hannon is going to have horses to look forward to for the next 10 years, but now is the right time.”
Hughes was retained jockey for Khalid Abdullah for several years before he decided to go freelance in 2006.
Big-race winners flowed with horses like Canford Cliffs, Toronado and Olympic Glory flag-bearers for the Hannon stables.
His first British Classic victory came in the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket in April 2013, when Sky Lantern defeated Just The Judge by half a length. Sky Lantern also won the Coronation Stakes and the Sun Chariot Stakes under Hughes’ guidance.
Less than a month after his Guineas success, the jockey doubled up in Classics when Talent secured top honours in the Oaks at Epsom.
Renowned for his coolness under pressure, Hughes can also look forward to an exciting final season, with Ivawood and Tiggy Wiggy leading contenders for the 2000 and 1000 Guineas respectively.
