Richard Hughes to retire after Flat season to become a trainer

Irish-born jockey has won British Flat title for last three years

Richard Hughes celebrates winning the champion flat jockey award for a third straight season  in 2014. Photograph:   John Giles/PA
Richard Hughes celebrates winning the champion flat jockey award for a third straight season in 2014. Photograph: John Giles/PA

Richard Hughes will retire from riding at the end of the Flat campaign before embarking upon a training career in 2016.

The 42-year-old Irish-born jockey, who has won the British 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 told www.richardhannonracing.co.uk: “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.

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“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.”