Archie Hughes

Archie Hughes

1903-1984

Article by Alan Trout

Christened Herbert Hughes but popularly known as Archie, he held a licence to ride on the Flat for many years, but it was over jumps that he enjoyed success with three wins in 1932.

Born in 1903, he was apprenticed to George Sentence and had his first ride when finishing ninth of 23 runners on Iron Duke in the Vyner Handicap at Hurst Park on May 2, 1914. He continued to have the occasional mount on the Flat during the 1920s, then had his first over jumps at Newbury on December 4, 1931, when Caddie finished second in the Hants Hurdle, beaten 10 lengths by the good American amateur ‘Pete’ Bostwick on Lone Eagle II.  

On January 8, 1932, Archie went one place better when Squire Morris won the Moderate Handicap Hurdle at Gatwick, beating Gazonit, ridden by Gerry Hardy, by two lengths. 

After enduring a long wait for a winner, a second came just 20 days later, again at Gatwick, where Caddie won the Three Mile Handicap Hurdle. Archie was his regular jockey and had been placed on him three times already.

His final victory was at Colwall Park on April 18, 1932, when Squire Morris obliged again, winning the Newent Handicap Hurdle by three lengths. He held a licence until the 1933/34 season but had no more success, having to settle for just those three wins. 

Archie Hughes died in 1984. His winners were, in chronological order:

1. Squire Morris, Gatwick, January 8, 1932 

2. Caddie, Gatwick, January 28, 1932

3. Squire Morris, Colwall Park, April 18, 1932