Richard Hughes to end riding career and be a trainer from 2016

The three-times champion jockey is 'very excited' about his new venture

Richard Hughes, the three-times champion jockey, is ‘very excited’ about starting out as a trainer (GETTY IMAGES)

Richard Hughes will retire from riding at the end of the Flat campaign before embarking upon a training career next year.

The 42-year-old, who has won the jockeys’ championship for the last three seasons, has enjoyed great success in the saddle and most recently struck up a fruitful partnership with Richard Hannon Snr and the former trainer’s son, Richard Jnr.

Hannon Jnr said: “Hughesie will be going all out to ride as many winners for us this season, but he is very excited about his new venture and we wish him all the best.

“Training is something that Hughesie has always wanted to do, and he has been in Newmarket this week doing his modules.

“He feels that this is the right time for him to switch, and we look forward to being rivals on the track next year and also at the bloodstock sales in the autumn.”

Son of top Irish trainer Dessie Hughes who died in November, Richard Hughes was retained jockey for Khalid Abdullah for several years before he decided to go freelance in 2006.

Big-race winners flowed with regularity thereafter, with horses like Canford Cliffs, Toronado and Olympic Glory flag-bearers for the Hannon stables.

His sole British Classic victory came in the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket in 2013, when Sky Lantern defeated Just The Judge by half a length. Sky Lantern also won the Coronation Stakes and the Sun Chariot Stakes under Hughes’ guidance.

Renowned for his coolness under pressure, Hughes can also look forward to an exciting final season, with Ivawood and Tiggy Wiggy leading contenders for the 2000 and 1000 Guineas respectively.