Goodwood delight for retiring Hughes

Friday’s win on Belvoir Bay was particularly Hughes-esque and the sight of him arriving alongside the leaders, motionless while all other jockeys were rowing away, is one that will stay with his followers for evermore.

“All the best horses were on my side”. It is onwards and upwards to my next job [as a trainer]. There were Group One horses in there and he handled the track, which I was a bit anxious about as a fast, downhill finish is completely different to Doha. When Keble started coming I thought: “oh, not again!”

“I hope to end up with about 60 by Christmas”. And there is no doubt as to who the rider’s racing hero was.

“It’s always risky to compare people with Lester Piggott, but for us, he’s been better than Lester Piggott”, Hannon said.

Winning rider Frankie Dettori, celebrating his third success in the Qatar silks at the meeting, said: “It’s my first victor for Qatar in the UK and I take my hat off to Jassim”. The only thing was when I rode in the winter time I put on a lot of muscle around my shoulders, so it was quite hard to get the weight off.

“If you give David the right animal, he will produce them”.

“There are plenty of options for her between now and the end of the year”.

He told At The Races: “He’ll be a big addition to the training ranks”. He has a lovely nature and a lot of class.

” I rode this filly earlier in her career, it’s unfortunate Ryan Moore is out with his injury, but I was delighted to get back on her”.

“When I left Ireland, I went to Richard first and since 1994 I was working for him and I got married to Lizzie, of course”.

Dettori said: “I’ve been waiting years for this, I’ve been beaten a few times, but what a horse, very fearless”.

“In fairness, he picked up really well – he just idled a bit in front”. He won well and [jockey] Frankie [Dettori] gave him a great ride.

It is fitting in many ways that Hughes should call it a day at Goodwood, a personal favourite of his.

“I’d like to thank Goodwood for all the trouble they went to. That was a huge help”.

He then teams up with Brian Meehan’s Senrima in the Educate A Child Stakes before having his final Group One ride aboard John Gosden’s Bright Approach in the Qatar Nassau Stakes. “It’s a big achievement to take this horse from Qatar to here and win”.

A Hannon victor after such a lengthy and successful partnership would be the ideal finale.

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”. We had lots of good moments. I didn’t really mind which one won (also owns Wedding Vow), although having said that I preferred this filly to win, I think she deserved it. “He’ll be 9st 10lb next week!”