Hughes is hoping end is Glorious
RICHARD HUGHES hopes his ‘strongest book of rides of the week’ will allow him to end his illustrious career on a high at Glorious Goodwood this afternoon.
The three-time champion jockey has six mounts. They include Richard Hannon-trained Ninjago, who attempts to improve on last season’s Stewards’ Cup second, and aptly named stablemate Hairdryer in the maiden, partowned by Sir Alex Ferguson.
Hughes, 42, is also booked for the David Nicholls-trained Barnet Fair, who tries to win the opening Stewards’ Cup Consolation race for the second year running, Brian Meehan-trained duo Senrima and Fox Trotter, his final ride, in the Qatar Stakes.
William Hill make him 2-1 to ride a winner and Hughes said: ‘These are my best rides of the week. I have two very good rides for Brian and a good ride for Richard in the maiden. Surely one will win.’
Hughes, who will be joined by family and friends including his mother Eileen and sister Sandra, admits there may be tears but is adamant that with his sights now firmly focused on a training career, bowing out today is the right call.
He added: ‘The sales are coming up and Glorious Goodwood is one of my favourite meetings so it all fitted together to finish here.
‘I’ve had enough, I’ve done my quota and don’t think I can get any more out of the game riding. I don’t want to be an old man when I go training so it is time to move on.’
Hughes took his Glorious Goodwood tally to 56 when Hannontrained Belvoir Bay gave him his second winner of the week in the Betfred Nursery yesterday.
Independence of mind and confidence in his tactical judgment have made him one of the most interesting riders to observe.
What makes this all the more admirable is that he ovecame the alcoholism that threatened to derail his life as well as sell his talent short.
Today will include a final hot bath — something he has had to endure while boiling his 5ft 10in frame to a racing weight. He will also attempt to quit smoking and he has already booked a hypnotherapist to help him.
His first runners as a trainer from his Hampshire base could come as early as next month.
Wife Lizzie reckons he will make an ‘even better trainer than a jockey’. Agreement comes from her father, former trainer Richard Hannon Snr, who supplied so many of his winners, including the best horse Hughes reckons he rode: 2010 Sussex Stakes winner Canford Cliffs.
‘There is no reason in the world why he should not do the job,’ said Hannon Snr. ‘He is bred for it and he is dead keen. I might send him a couple to train.’