Richard Hughes bows out a champion

[bennythedip2]

'Overwhelmed' Hughes bows out (August 1 2015)

Richard Hughes described himself as "relieved and overwhelmed" as the three-times champion jockey retired from the saddle to embark on a training career without a fairytale last-day winner at Goodwood.

Afforded a guard of honour by his weighing room colleagues before racing, Hughes had six rides on the final afternoon of a meeting that has been so kind to him over the years.

Having ridden his first winner in 1998, the long-time stalwart of the Richard Hannon yard had intended to bow out at the end of the season, but the demands of what will be needed in terms of training led to him bringing forward his decision.

Just denied by Frankie Dettori when riding Barnet Fair in the opener, the Hughes swansong came in the seven-furlong Qatar Stakes on Fox Trotter for Brian Meehan.

Typically given a patient ride at the rear of the field, the top-weight made rapid progress with two furlongs to run but could not quite get to the leaders and to settle for a close fourth, as Enlace took the spoils.

Hughes was led back into the enclosures to a hero's reception.

After a career that spanned 27 years, Hughes, 42, leaves the saddle with 31 Royal Ascot winners, two British Classics, numerous other Group One successes and a reputation as one of the most stylish jockeys of his generation.

Hughes said: "I feel relieved. I didn't have a winner, it wasn't to be, but I am overwhelmed by the whole thing, it is absolutely brilliant.

"Going into the final race I thought 'this is it' and I enjoyed every minute of it. Everything went according to plan, apart from winning. I am ready to retire. I was ready for this for a while and I am delighted to go out on a high.

"It was unbelievable to be led back in front of the crowds. A couple of months ago my kids said to me on McCoy's retirement day 'are you going to have that?' and I said 'no, I won't get anything like that'. It was absolutely brilliant, though.

"I thought at the furlong pole I might get up on him (Fox Trotter), but it wasn't to be. I have had enough winners in my career and one more wouldn't have made any difference. Having a reception like that was great.

"I'd like to thank Goodwood for all the trouble they went to. They have moved houses for me and I am very grateful.

"I love this track and hopefully I'll find a horse good enough to run here.

"A lot of jockeys retire in a hospital bed and I am very lucky. It is just a huge relief and I can go on now. It is onwards and upwards to my next job.

"The other jockeys are like brothers and we have been through highs and lows all together. I was trying to be champion jockey this year, but next year is more important to me."

Hughes' wife, Lizzie, said: "It's sad that it's come to an end, it's the end of an era.

"A jockey's life is a great life, but everything has to come to an end and you can't go on forever.

"He has found it tougher than he thought he would (retiring), now the hard graft really starts, but we're ready to do it."

Richard Hannon jnr said: "You can't say it's sad, he's had the most brilliant career and everyone can see how popular he is.

"I came down to watch the guard of honour the jockeys gave him, it was great and big credit to all the guys in the weighing room, it shows you the sort of camaraderie they have.

"That will be a thing for him on Monday morning not to have that, it is going to be hard for him, harder than he thinks.

"He'll be good at training, don't get me wrong, but it will be hard to miss all that - being the jockey and the competitor, it will be difficult.

"Someone said earlier it's great Hughesie is finishing at somewhere as magical as this, it's lovely weather and a great crowd that appreciates him and everything he has achieved, rather than a cold day in October on a Monday where it would fizzle out.

"This is fantastic."

Sir Michael Stoute revealed he had asked Hughes to ride easy winner Dartmouth for the Queen in the mile-and-a-half handicap but he had already been booked for Brian Meehan's Senrima, so Oliver Peslier stepped in.

Stoute said of Hughes: "He's extremely talented and has a great racing brain."

Hughes was four times crowned top rider at the Glorious meeting, but that honour this year went to Dettori for the fifth time.

The Italian paid tribute to Hughes, saying: "I'm a bit sad, he's a good friend of mine and a great rider. He's a good benchmark for everyone, but he's embarking on his new career and I wish him all the best. I think he'll be quite a hard person to ride for!"