Richard Hughes
Richard Hughes was officially crowned British champion jockey for a third successive year at Doncaster on Saturday.
Hughes had been champion-in-waiting for some time, ever since chief rival Ryan Moore elected to miss the end of the domestic season due to his commitments overseas.
The Irishman overcame a delayed start to the campaign after a fall at Meydan on Dubai World Cup night ruled him out of the opening exchanges, meaning he had to play catch-up for many months.
The 41-year-old admitted any notion of reeling in Moore was inconceivable earlier in the year.
But he gradually clawed back the deficit, and hit the front on October 1.
Richard Hughes
Group One highlights during another superb season included Toronado in the Queen Anne at Royal Ascot, speed queen Tiggy Wiggy in the Cheveley Park and star Irish sprinter Sole Power in the King’s Stand and Nunthorpe.
Richard Hughes said: “It’s been a long year, hard work but it’s paid off.
“I wouldn’t ride winners if it wasn’t for Richard Hannon.
“It was a seamless transition to Richard jnr. It’s great to be part of it and I wish him all the luck in the future.
“I have to approach next year as I have this. I need to to get motivated.
“I’ll be going to Dubai for a spell in February.”
Hannon ensured a seamless transition in taking over the licence from his father, Richard snr, to ensure the champion trainers’ crown stayed at Herridge.
A dream start for Hannon jnr came through Night Of Thunder in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket in May and there was another Group One on the board a few weeks later with Olympic Glory in the Lockinge.
Night Of Thunder connections
Toronado and Tiggy Wiggy played their part in seeing off the challenge of John Gosden, and Olympic Glory added a second top-level success in the Prix de la Foret on Arc day.
Hannon said: “It’s been a great year and we’ve a lot of good horses to look forward to as well.
“We’ve had Olympic Glory and Toronado, who both won Group Ones this year.
“The regret, or the disappointing bit of the season, was we never got Sky Lantern back to what she was.
“She was a very special filly to me and I was a big part of her build-up.
“We’ve got a lot of good horses such as Ivawood and Estidhkaar and others for next year.”
Richard Hughes
Graham Lee led the way for northern-based riders, booting home 129 winners and finishing third overall behind Hughes and Moore.
Lee said: “It’s been some roller-coaster since I switched to the Flat and I’m enjoying the ride.
“I’ve been very fortunate. Touch-wood, it’s gone great.
“Without being disrespectful to any of the other good horses I’ve ridden, I’ve never had a feel from a horse as I did with Limato at Redcar.
“He won hard on the bit and the horse that he beat (Mattmu) and has won a Listed race and Group Two in France since then.
“He is something special.”
Asked about being a contender for the jockeys’ title in 2015, he said: “No. I was jumping long enough to know that my feet will always be on the ground.
“I’ll keep on taking each day as it comes and try to do the right things.”
Oisin Murphy came out best in the battle for the champion apprentice title as he prepares to take on the high-profile role of second jockey to Sheikh Fahad’s Qatar Racing operation next season.
Top owner was Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum, thanks in no small part to Taghrooda’s performances in the Oaks and King George and Mukhadram in the Eclipse.
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