Richard Hughes© Photo Healy Racing
Richard Hughes has spoken of his delight at effectively being crowned champion UK jockey for a third successive season.
Hughes has been chasing Ryan Moore's tail for much of the campaign but has stamped his authority on the challenge in recent weeks, often riding at two meetings a day in an insatiable quest for winners.
Moore stated some time ago he would not be very active in Britain during the last few weeks of the season, instead preferring to concentrate his efforts on the major prizes around the world.
His agent Tony Hind, who also looks after Hughes, confirmed Moore would not be riding again in Britain this season after he missed two mounts at Lingfield on Tuesday due to illness.
Hughes suffered a delayed start after a fall at Meydan on Dubai World Cup night ruled him out of the opening weeks of the season. The 41-year-old admitted any notion of catching Moore was inconceivable earlier in the year.
"I wouldn't say I've been battling with Ryan, but it still feels sweet after the doctor told me I could be out for months when I was injured in Dubai," Hughes told Press Association Sport.
"Because of that, I started a month behind everyone else and I didn't think I'd be able to catch Ryan.
"Winning this obviously means more to me than Ryan but it still feels sweet, especially winning it for a third time.
"There have been so many good days this year but if I had to pick one out I'd say Toronado coming back and winning first time out at Royal Ascot was very sweet. That was a great training performance.
"In general, we've had a great year.
"Tony does a great job with the both of us and I think we bounce off each other great, but it helps massively that I have a very powerful stable behind me."
