Richard Hughes
Richard David Hughes was born in Dublin on January 11, 1973, the son of successful National Hunt jockey and trainer Dessie Hughes. Richard started pony racing aged seven, having his first win aboard Chestnut Lady in a six-furlong race at Wexford.
Richard David Hughes was born in Dublin on January 11, 1973, the son of successful National Hunt jockey and trainer Dessie Hughes. Richard started pony racing aged seven, having his first win aboard Chestnut Lady in a six-furlong race at Wexford.
His first ride under the rules of racing was in a six-furlong maiden at Naas on March 19, 1988, on a debutant called Scath Na Greine. He finished tenth. He rode his first winner on Viking Melody at Roscommon on August 2, 1988.
His first ride under the rules of racing was in a six-furlong maiden at Naas on March 19, 1988, on a debutant called Scath Na Greine. He finished tenth. He rode his first winner on Viking Melody at Roscommon on August 2, 1988.
He came to Britain 1996 and that year achieved his first major success, winning the Derby Italiano on Bahamian Knight. He was still riding over hurdles at that time and scored his biggest victory in that sphere when winning the 1997 Irish Champion Hurdle on Cockney Lad.
He came to Britain 1996 and that year achieved his first major success, winning the Derby Italiano on Bahamian Knight. He was still riding over hurdles at that time and scored his biggest victory in that sphere when winning the 1997 Irish Champion Hurdle on Cockney Lad.
He enjoyed a long association with trainer Richard Hannon, who became his father-in-law, and then from 2013 with Richard Hannon Jnr, who took over the training operation. From 2001-07 he was also retained by the owner Prince Khalid Abdullah. Being 5' 10" in height, tall for a Flat jockey, he endured a constant battle to maintain his weight significantly below its natural level.
He enjoyed a long association with trainer Richard Hannon, who became his father-in-law, and then from 2013 with Richard Hannon Jnr, who took over the training operation. From 2001-07 he was also retained by the owner Prince Khalid Abdullah. Being 5' 10" in height, tall for a Flat jockey, he endured a constant battle to maintain his weight significantly below its natural level.
On October 15, 2012 he equalled Frankie Dettori’s record of winning seven races in a single meeting by winning seven out of eight races at Windsor. The following month he was crowned British champion jockey for the first time with 172 winners.
On October 15, 2012 he equalled Frankie Dettori’s record of winning seven races in a single meeting by winning seven out of eight races at Windsor. The following month he was crowned British champion jockey for the first time with 172 winners.
In May 2013, after a long wait, he won his first British Classic on Sky Lantern in the 1,000 Guineas. He then won his second Classic a month later on Talent in the Oaks. At that year’s Royal Ascot he won the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot on Sky Lantern. He also achieved his sole Breeders’ Cup success that year aboard Chriselliam in the Juvenile Fillies’ Turf.
In May 2013, after a long wait, he won his first British Classic on Sky Lantern in the 1,000 Guineas. He then won his second Classic a month later on Talent in the Oaks. At that year’s Royal Ascot he won the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot on Sky Lantern. He also achieved his sole Breeders’ Cup success that year aboard Chriselliam in the Juvenile Fillies’ Turf.
He was crowned Champion Jockey for the second consecutive season in 2013. His total of 208 winners made him the first jockey to ride more than 200 winners in a British Flat season since Kieren Fallon in 2003. He retained the title again in 2014, before retiring and taking up training.
He was crowned Champion Jockey for the second consecutive season in 2013. His total of 208 winners made him the first jockey to ride more than 200 winners in a British Flat season since Kieren Fallon in 2003. He retained the title again in 2014, before retiring and taking up training.
He is married to wife Lizzie, daughter of Richard Hannon. The couple have two sons and a daughter.
He is married to wife Lizzie, daughter of Richard Hannon. The couple have two sons and a daughter.
Group 1 wins in Britain
Group 1 wins in Britain
1,000 Guineas – Sky Lantern (2013)
1,000 Guineas – Sky Lantern (2013)
Epsom Oaks – Talent (2013)
Epsom Oaks – Talent (2013)
Coronation Stakes – Indian Ink (2007), Sky Lantern (2013)
Coronation Stakes – Indian Ink (2007), Sky Lantern (2013)
King's Stand Stakes – Piccolo (1995), Sole Power (2014)
King's Stand Stakes – Piccolo (1995), Sole Power (2014)
Queen Anne Stakes – Paco Boy (2009), Canford Cliffs (2011), ⦁ Toronado (2014)
Queen Anne Stakes – Paco Boy (2009), Canford Cliffs (2011), ⦁ Toronado (2014)
St James's Palace Stakes – Canford Cliffs (2010)
St James's Palace Stakes – Canford Cliffs (2010)
Cheveley Park Stakes – Indian Ink (2006), Tiggy Wiggy (2014)
Cheveley Park Stakes – Indian Ink (2006), Tiggy Wiggy (2014)
July Cup – Oasis Dream (2003)
July Cup – Oasis Dream (2003)
Haydock Sprint Cup – Tante Rose (2004)
Haydock Sprint Cup – Tante Rose (2004)
Falmouth Stakes – Music Show (2010)
Falmouth Stakes – Music Show (2010)
Lockinge Stakes – Paco Boy (2010), Canford Cliffs (2011)
Lockinge Stakes – Paco Boy (2010), Canford Cliffs (2011)
Sussex Stakes – Canford Cliffs (2010), Toronado (2013)
Sussex Stakes – Canford Cliffs (2010), Toronado (2013)
Nassau Stakes – The Fugue (2012)
Nassau Stakes – The Fugue (2012)
Nunthorpe Stakes – Oasis Dream (2003), Sole Power (2014)
Nunthorpe Stakes – Oasis Dream (2003), Sole Power (2014)
Queen Elizabeth II Stakes – Olympic Glory (2013)
Queen Elizabeth II Stakes – Olympic Glory (2013)
Group 1 wins in Ireland
Group 1 wins in Ireland
Irish 2,000 Guineas – Canford Cliffs (2010)
Irish 2,000 Guineas – Canford Cliffs (2010)
Matron Stakes – Tadwiga (1998)
Matron Stakes – Tadwiga (1998)
Goffs Million – Soul City (2008), Lucky General (2009)
Goffs Million – Soul City (2008), Lucky General (2009)
Moyglare Stud Stakes – Sky Lantern (2012)
Moyglare Stud Stakes – Sky Lantern (2012)
Group 1 wins in France
Group 1 wins in France
Poule d'Essai des Pouliches – Zenda (2002)
Poule d'Essai des Pouliches – Zenda (2002)
Poule d'Essai des Poulains – American Post (2004)
Poule d'Essai des Poulains – American Post (2004)
Prix de Diane – Nebraska Tornado (2003)
Prix de Diane – Nebraska Tornado (2003)
Prix du Cadran – Invermark (1998)
Prix du Cadran – Invermark (1998)
Prix d'Ispahan – Observatory (2001)
Prix d'Ispahan – Observatory (2001)
Prix du Moulin de Longchamp – Nebraska Tornado (2003)
Prix du Moulin de Longchamp – Nebraska Tornado (2003)
Critérium de Saint-Cloud – Passage of Time (2006)
Critérium de Saint-Cloud – Passage of Time (2006)
Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud – Youmzain (2008)
Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud – Youmzain (2008)
Prix Jean Prat – Dick Turpin (2010)
Prix Jean Prat – Dick Turpin (2010)
Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère – American Post (2003), Olympic Glory (2012)
Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère – American Post (2003), Olympic Glory (2012)
Richard's first ride. He finished tenth on Scath Na Greine at Naas, March 19, 1988.
Richard's first ride. He finished tenth on Scath Na Greine at Naas, March 19, 1988.
Richard's first classic successs, the 1996 Italian Derby on Bahamian Knight.
Richard's first classic successs, the 1996 Italian Derby on Bahamian Knight.
