Robert Hughes
Robert Graham Hughes was born on July 14, 1951. He served his apprenticeship with dual-purpose trainer Cyril Mitchell at Epsom and went on to spend his entire career riding as Cyril Mitchell’s National Hunt jockey and then for his son Philip Mitchell, who took over the training operation towards the end of 1974.
Robert Graham Hughes was born on July 14, 1951. He served his apprenticeship with dual-purpose trainer Cyril Mitchell at Epsom and went on to spend his entire career riding as Cyril Mitchell’s National Hunt jockey and then for his son Philip Mitchell, who took over the training operation towards the end of 1974.
Robert rode around 100 winners, the undoubted highlight being his victory on Attivo in the 1974 Triumph Hurdle. His first was on Ulster Beacon in a Plumpton novices’ hurdle on November 12, 1968. They followed up at Leicester two weeks later. They were his only two winners of the season and he rode just one in each of the next two, so it was slow going at first.
Robert rode around 100 winners, the undoubted highlight being his victory on Attivo in the 1974 Triumph Hurdle. His first was on Ulster Beacon in a Plumpton novices’ hurdle on November 12, 1968. They followed up at Leicester two weeks later. They were his only two winners of the season and he rode just one in each of the next two, so it was slow going at first.
He steadily began to make his mark in the 1971/73 campaign, during which he rode seven winners. They included two on novice hurdler Bar Fly, the second of which was a qualifier for the Player’s No.6 National Hurdle Championship at Sandown. He also won twice on another novice hurdler, Atmani, at Sandown and Windsor, the latter victory comprising the first leg of a double for Robert, completed by the German-bred Firedancer in the third division of the same novices’ hurdle. He rode six winners in the 1971/72 season, four of them coming courtesy of novice hurdler Stan’s Boy, who won at Fontwell, Folkestone, Sandown and Lingfield.
He steadily began to make his mark in the 1971/73 campaign, during which he rode seven winners. They included two on novice hurdler Bar Fly, the second of which was a qualifier for the Player’s No.6 National Hurdle Championship at Sandown. He also won twice on another novice hurdler, Atmani, at Sandown and Windsor, the latter victory comprising the first leg of a double for Robert, completed by the German-bred Firedancer in the third division of the same novices’ hurdle. He rode six winners in the 1971/72 season, four of them coming courtesy of novice hurdler Stan’s Boy, who won at Fontwell, Folkestone, Sandown and Lingfield.
The real breakthrough, however, was the 1973/74 season, thanks mainly to his partnership with Peter O’Sullevan’s horse Attivo. It began in the Evesham (4yo) Hurdle at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day when Attivo, making his hurdling debut, went straight into the lead, drew further and further clear and won unchallenged by a distance. Their next start was in Newbury’s Stroud Green Hurdle on February 8, when they employed identical tactics and won easily by 20 lengths. On the strength of those two facile successes, Attivo and Robert Hughes were sent off the 5/4 on favourites for the Daily Express Triumph Hurdle. They did not let their backers down, making virtually all the running and overcoming a blunder at the final flight to score by four lengths.
The real breakthrough, however, was the 1973/74 season, thanks mainly to his partnership with Peter O’Sullevan’s horse Attivo. It began in the Evesham (4yo) Hurdle at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day when Attivo, making his hurdling debut, went straight into the lead, drew further and further clear and won unchallenged by a distance. Their next start was in Newbury’s Stroud Green Hurdle on February 8, when they employed identical tactics and won easily by 20 lengths. On the strength of those two facile successes, Attivo and Robert Hughes were sent off the 5/4 on favourites for the Daily Express Triumph Hurdle. They did not let their backers down, making virtually all the running and overcoming a blunder at the final flight to score by four lengths.
Robert finished that season with a score of 11 winners. In addition to Attivo’s victories, they included three on Proud Knight, including the Fontwell Park Golden Jubilee Trophy Novices’ Handicap Hurdle, plus a brace of handicap hurdle on Red Man.
Robert finished that season with a score of 11 winners. In addition to Attivo’s victories, they included three on Proud Knight, including the Fontwell Park Golden Jubilee Trophy Novices’ Handicap Hurdle, plus a brace of handicap hurdle on Red Man.
By comparison, the next few seasons were relatively lean ones. His seven wins in the 1974/75 campaign included two on a useful novice hurdler named Rasti, He rode five the next season including two in December 1975 on novice hurdler Dyscole, and Newbury’s Eastleigh Handicap Hurdle on his old friend Attivo. His sole success in the 1976/77 campaign was gained on a horse named Cheltenham in a Stratford novices’ hurdle. He bookended the following season with wins on novice hurdler Silver Tempest at Worcester in August 1977 and Fontwell in May 1978, and also scored a rare victory over fences on novice chaser Atmani at Fakenham.
By comparison, the next few seasons were relatively lean ones. His seven wins in the 1974/75 campaign included two on a useful novice hurdler named Rasti, He rode five the next season including two in December 1975 on novice hurdler Dyscole, and Newbury’s Eastleigh Handicap Hurdle on his old friend Attivo. His sole success in the 1976/77 campaign was gained on a horse named Cheltenham in a Stratford novices’ hurdle. He bookended the following season with wins on novice hurdler Silver Tempest at Worcester in August 1977 and Fontwell in May 1978, and also scored a rare victory over fences on novice chaser Atmani at Fakenham.
Robert rode six winners during the 1978/79 season, half of them on juvenile hurdler Ash Hill, whose three victories culminated in the Burton Rubber Co. Ltd. Novices’ Hurdle at Uttoxeter in December 1978. The following December (1979) was a good month for him, notching a Fakenham double on hurdlers Ash Hill and Bell Hop.
Robert rode six winners during the 1978/79 season, half of them on juvenile hurdler Ash Hill, whose three victories culminated in the Burton Rubber Co. Ltd. Novices’ Hurdle at Uttoxeter in December 1978. The following December (1979) was a good month for him, notching a Fakenham double on hurdlers Ash Hill and Bell Hop.
After a slow start, he enjoyed a fruitful 1980/81 campaign with 13 winners. They included doubles at Folkestone and Fakenham in December, plus three wins on Ra Tapu, culminating in the valuable Tote Place-Pot Hurdle at Kempton on February 28, 1981.
After a slow start, he enjoyed a fruitful 1980/81 campaign with 13 winners. They included doubles at Folkestone and Fakenham in December, plus three wins on Ra Tapu, culminating in the valuable Tote Place-Pot Hurdle at Kempton on February 28, 1981.
His best season numerically came in 1981/82 with 14 winners, the highlight being Ra Tapu’s victory in Newbury’s Tote Autumn Hurdle on October 22, 1978. He also won two apiece on novice hurdlers Royal Swan and Hattan.
His best season numerically came in 1981/82 with 14 winners, the highlight being Ra Tapu’s victory in Newbury’s Tote Autumn Hurdle on October 22, 1978. He also won two apiece on novice hurdlers Royal Swan and Hattan.
Robert rode nine winners in the 1982/83 season but thereafter the number of winners steadily diminished. Despite a bright start to the 1983/84 campaign, which included a victory on Garfunkel in Huntingdon’s Cambridgeshire Hurdle, the likes of Simon Sherwood and Richard Dunwoody began to come in for many of the plum rides.
Robert rode nine winners in the 1982/83 season but thereafter the number of winners steadily diminished. Despite a bright start to the 1983/84 campaign, which included a victory on Garfunkel in Huntingdon’s Cambridgeshire Hurdle, the likes of Simon Sherwood and Richard Dunwoody began to come in for many of the plum rides.
His last winner for Philip Mitchell came on Taras Chariot in a Fontwell selling hurdle on May 6, 1985. He had his last rides later that month at Fontwell on Spring Bank Holiday Monday, May 27, the final one being for another Epsom trainer, Brooke Sanders, on Die in the Sky, who finished last of seven finishers in the Hayling Novices’ Hurdle.
His last winner for Philip Mitchell came on Taras Chariot in a Fontwell selling hurdle on May 6, 1985. He had his last rides later that month at Fontwell on Spring Bank Holiday Monday, May 27, the final one being for another Epsom trainer, Brooke Sanders, on Die in the Sky, who finished last of seven finishers in the Hayling Novices’ Hurdle.
Robert Hughes’s winners for Cyril Mitchell and Philip Mitchell (from December 1974) included:
Robert Hughes’s winners for Cyril Mitchell and Philip Mitchell (from December 1974) included:
Ulster Beacon, Plumpton, November 12, 1968
Ulster Beacon, Plumpton, November 12, 1968
Ulster Beacon, Leicester, November 26, 1968
Ulster Beacon, Leicester, November 26, 1968
Bar Fly, Lingfield, Park, December 10, 1971
Bar Fly, Lingfield, Park, December 10, 1971
Bar Fly, Sandown Park, January 7, 1972
Bar Fly, Sandown Park, January 7, 1972
Atmani, Sandown Park, January 8, 1972
Atmani, Sandown Park, January 8, 1972
Atmani, Windsor, January 19,1971
Atmani, Windsor, January 19,1971
Firedancer, Windsor, January 19, 1972
Firedancer, Windsor, January 19, 1972
Manitou, Ascot, October 25, 1972
Manitou, Ascot, October 25, 1972
Stan’s Boy, Fontwell Park, November 6, 1972
Stan’s Boy, Fontwell Park, November 6, 1972
Stan’s Boy, Folkestone, November 20, 1972
Stan’s Boy, Folkestone, November 20, 1972
Stan’s Boy, Sandown Park, January 6, 1973
Stan’s Boy, Sandown Park, January 6, 1973
Stan’s Boy, Lingfield, February 28, 1973
Stan’s Boy, Lingfield, February 28, 1973
Proud Knight, Wolverhampton, November 26, 1973
Proud Knight, Wolverhampton, November 26, 1973
Attivo, Cheltenham, January 1, 1974
Attivo, Cheltenham, January 1, 1974
Proud Knight, Fontwell Park, February 6, 1974
Proud Knight, Fontwell Park, February 6, 1974
Attivo, Newbury, February 8, 1974
Attivo, Newbury, February 8, 1974
Red Man, Plumpton, March 5, 1974
Red Man, Plumpton, March 5, 1974
Proud Knight, Sandown Park, March 9, 1974
Proud Knight, Sandown Park, March 9, 1974
Attivo, Cheltenham, March 14, 1974
Attivo, Cheltenham, March 14, 1974
Red Man, Fontwell Park, May 6, 1974
Red Man, Fontwell Park, May 6, 1974
Proud Knight, Plumpton, August 15, 1974
Proud Knight, Plumpton, August 15, 1974
Our Friend, Fontwell Park, August 28, 1974
Our Friend, Fontwell Park, August 28, 1974
Traction, Southwell, December 19, 1974
Traction, Southwell, December 19, 1974
Rasti, Sandown Park, January 4, 1975
Rasti, Sandown Park, January 4, 1975
Rasti, Lingfield Park, February 27, 1975
Rasti, Lingfield Park, February 27, 1975
Dyscole, Nottingham, December 8, 1975
Dyscole, Nottingham, December 8, 1975
Dyscole, Southwell, December 18, 1975
Dyscole, Southwell, December 18, 1975
Attivo, Newbury, March 5, 1976
Attivo, Newbury, March 5, 1976
Cheltenham, Stratford-on-Avon, November 18, 1976
Cheltenham, Stratford-on-Avon, November 18, 1976
Silver Tempest, Worcester, August 6, 1977
Silver Tempest, Worcester, August 6, 1977
Atmani, Fakenham, November 12, 1977
Atmani, Fakenham, November 12, 1977
Silver Tempest, Fontwell Park, May 29, 1978
Silver Tempest, Fontwell Park, May 29, 1978
Clonlee Lad, Plumpton, August 28, 1978
Clonlee Lad, Plumpton, August 28, 1978
Ash Hill, Ascot, November 1, 1978
Ash Hill, Ascot, November 1, 1978
Ash Hill, Folkestone, December 4, 1978
Ash Hill, Folkestone, December 4, 1978
Prince’s Risk, Cheltenham, December 8, 1978 (dead-heat)
Prince’s Risk, Cheltenham, December 8, 1978 (dead-heat)
Ash Hill, Uttoxeter, December 14, 1978
Ash Hill, Uttoxeter, December 14, 1978
Regional, Plumpton, August 27, 1979
Regional, Plumpton, August 27, 1979
Greg, Stratford-on-Avon, November 15, 1979
Greg, Stratford-on-Avon, November 15, 1979
Prince’s Risk, Folkestone, December 19, 1979
Prince’s Risk, Folkestone, December 19, 1979
Ash Hill, Fakenham, December 22, 1979
Ash Hill, Fakenham, December 22, 1979
Bell Hop, Fakenham, December 22, 1979
Bell Hop, Fakenham, December 22, 1979
Greg, Kempton Park, December 27, 1979
Greg, Kempton Park, December 27, 1979
Bell Hop, Southwell, January10, 1980
Bell Hop, Southwell, January10, 1980
Jondi, Kempton Park, October 18, 1980
Jondi, Kempton Park, October 18, 1980
Nookie Bear, Plumpton, November 25, 1980
Nookie Bear, Plumpton, November 25, 1980
Ra Tapu, Folkestone, December 1, 1980
Ra Tapu, Folkestone, December 1, 1980
Nookie Bear, Folkestone, December 1, 1980
Nookie Bear, Folkestone, December 1, 1980
Bell Hop, Fakenham, December 19, 1980
Bell Hop, Fakenham, December 19, 1980
Prince’s Risk, Fakenham, December 19, 1980
Prince’s Risk, Fakenham, December 19, 1980
Ra Tapu, Windsor, January 21, 1981
Ra Tapu, Windsor, January 21, 1981
Bell Hop, Fakenham, February 20, 1981
Bell Hop, Fakenham, February 20, 1981
Ra Tapu, Kempton Park, February 28, 1981
Ra Tapu, Kempton Park, February 28, 1981
Ra Tapu, Newbury, October 22, 1981
Ra Tapu, Newbury, October 22, 1981
Royal Swan, Fontwell Park, December 30, 1981
Royal Swan, Fontwell Park, December 30, 1981
Royal Swan, Folkestone, January 5, 1982
Royal Swan, Folkestone, January 5, 1982
Kings Glory, Lingfield Park, February 4, 1982
Kings Glory, Lingfield Park, February 4, 1982
Spikey Bill, Fakenham, February 19, 1982
Spikey Bill, Fakenham, February 19, 1982
Hattan, Lingfield Park, February 20, 1982
Hattan, Lingfield Park, February 20, 1982
Hattan, Fakenham, March 19, 1982
Hattan, Fakenham, March 19, 1982
Garfunkel, Fakenham, September 24, 1982
Garfunkel, Fakenham, September 24, 1982
Tugboat, Plumpton, March 1, 1983
Tugboat, Plumpton, March 1, 1983
Hattan, Lingfield Park, March 3, 1983
Hattan, Lingfield Park, March 3, 1983
Tugboat, Folkestone, March 8, 1983
Tugboat, Folkestone, March 8, 1983
Tugboat, Fakenham, September 23, 1983
Tugboat, Fakenham, September 23, 1983
Garfunkel, Huntingdon, October 22, 1983
Garfunkel, Huntingdon, October 22, 1983
Bark, Kempton Park, November 17, 1983
Bark, Kempton Park, November 17, 1983
To Asteri, Fakenham, September 28, 1984
To Asteri, Fakenham, September 28, 1984
Taras Chariot, Fontwell Park, May 6, 1985
Taras Chariot, Fontwell Park, May 6, 1985