Hughes in tribute to ‘great man’ Jefferson

JOCKEY Brian Hughes led the tributes yesterday to respected trainer Malcolm Jefferson, who has died aged 71 after a long illness. Hughes, who rode 140 winners for Maltonbased Jefferson, said: ‘He’s suffered for the last year but he’s still been out on the gallops most mornings and always kept his head up and got on with the job. ‘He’s been a great trainer, a great man with young horses and great to ride for. I’ll never be able to repay him for everything he’s done for me and my career.’ Jefferson (above) worked for Cumbriabased trainer Gordon Richards before he set up on his own in 1981. His four Cheltenham Festival winners included 1995 Champion Bumper hero Dato Star, who went on to land the 1999 Christmas Hurdle and the Fighting Fifth Hurdle twice. Other notable horses included According To Pete, Tullymurry Toff and Go-Informal. His current crop is headed by Waiting Patiently. Jefferson’s daughter Ruth has taken over the licence of the family stable which has two runners at Wetherby — Special Catch (1.35) and Only Orvieto (2.10).