2 August 2015, Goodwood Racecourse ~
Richard Hughes, Hughesie, is one of England’s most decorated flat jockeys with 31 Royal Ascot winners, two British Classics and multiple Group One successes. His final race on 1 August was the seven-furlong Qatar Stakes aboard the three-year-old Fox Trotter, but although well placed in the backstretch with two furlongs to go, the pair finished fourth.
Hughes was led back along the famous straight, past packed grandstands where the crowd clapped and applauded the champion jockey with gusto. He waved and blew kisses to the crowd.
Hughes will soon begin a new training career at his Hampshire base, Danebury Stables.
“I’m just glad I got through the day without getting too emotional,” he said. I did out on the track just now, but I’ve had a fabulous day. Jockeys are like brothers, and we go through the highs and lows together – you’re battling with your weight all the time and there is always someone in the weighing room to help you.”
“I’m 100 per cent into training. I’m not at all nervous about the new career. It’s onwards and upwards.”
Dettori takes UK leading rider award at Goodwood
Frankie Dettori, following his first victory in the Qatar Stewards’ Cup, was declared the top rider at the Qatar Goodwood Festival with six successes. The Italian was presented with the Racing UK leading rider award by Lord March after the Qatar Stewards’ Cup on Saturday, 1 August.
Dettori said: “It has been an unbelievable week – if you get one or two winners it is good but to ride six is amazing”.
Dettori is the winning-most current jockey at Goodwood, with 190 wins at the Sussex course. He was leading rider at the Goodwood Festival in 2006 (5), 1999 (6), 1995 (6) and 1994 (4).
~ ends