Dickie has his first runner on Thursday at Epsom and so I just wondered what the forum's thoughts were with regard his prospects of making it in this ever so competitive field. I have looked at his website and he is yet to have a horses in training section as some trainers do, I imagine this is because he likely has few horses under his care at present with most boxes likely to be occupied through sale purchases. I will be interested to see if he is able to catch the attention of the big owners such as Hamdan, etc as it is of note that the Hannon's never really found favour with the top tier owners until recently. He should have a great foundation to provide him with every success as he was clearly not just a jockey to the Hannon's but part of the stable and would have picked up an awful lot of knowledge from them, as well of course his Father Dessie. I have always felt that being a trainer was an incredibly hard job and must provide enormous highs and lows and you only need look at the demise of the Olly Stevens yard to see how even with great support the winners are not guaranteed. It's this that leads me to having huge respect for those yards we see each day who have little expensive firepower yet manage to find races for them and punt them properly when doing so. I have always liked Hughsie and feel he comes across well so wish him luck - I will also be very interested to see which jockeys he uses.
I'm sure a few Hannon owners will send one or two his way. I'm sure Juddmonte will send a couple. Tough starting out, whoever you are.
I think it was the Racing Post that had an article about Hughes’ plans for his first runner and how important a role his travelling head lass was going to be playing as she was in charge until he got to the track. I would have thought with his first runner that he would have tagged along on the journey himself just to observe (without interfering) as he is a novice himself whilst he poached her from a similar role at one of the big Newmarket yards. Given how long it took him to ride his first winner as a jockey, I would not be rushing to the bookies to back him to start his training career with a winner (fully expect that the odds will be shorter than they should be just because of the publicity) but I hope it runs well and that, more importantly, he learns as much as possible from the experience.
One piece of great news for Richard Hughes is that Mr Ponsonby, the forum’s second favourite owner, has announced that he will be sending him a yearling filly by Dark Angel. A huge shot in the arm for the fledgling trainer. Meanwhile, I see Mr Hughes has also entered one in a race in the county on Friday eve – the ex Peter Chapple-Hyam maiden, Bank of Gibraltar.
So anyone gonna be brave enough to have a punt on his first runner ! What odds he doesn't have a winner in 2015 No I hope he suceeds as much as he did when riding and just hope he wins an English classic sooner than it took to ride one !
I hope you are joking Robbie !!! I could actually see Hughsie being a trainer of Jockeys as much as horses in his yard and would expect to see a couple of good apprentices coming out of there in the next couple of years. He is a great horseman and speaks well so will likely will find and nurture some group class jocks as well as horses.
Surely, he’ll use Sir Ryan when he’s available. One of the perks of being very good pals with the best around. On a day to day basis I’m sure he’ll employ, his old muckers from the Hannon barn, Sean Levey and Pat Dobbs a fair amount. Although Shane Kelly is currently jocked up to ride Mr Hughes' first runner.
The Irish scene is flooded with top young apprentices so I wouldn't be suprised if he were to recruit some of those from here. With more racing in England weekly, there are more chances for a young jockey there.
Castle Talbot declared to run with Shane Kelly in the saddle (2.40 Epsom). I fear though that old boy Gosden could spoil the party.
