Dessie Hughes
| Dessie Hughes | |
|---|---|
| Occupation | Trainer |
| Born | Ireland |
| Died | (aged 71) |
| Major racing wins | |
| Champion Chase, Champion Hurdle, Cheltenham Gold Cup | |
| Significant horses | |
| Davy Lad, Hardy Eustace, Monksfield | |
Dessie Hughes was an
Career
As a jockey
Hughes' most famous successes in the saddle came at the Cheltenham Festival. In 1977, he partnered the Mick O'Toole-trained Davy Lad to success in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Two years later, he was victorious in one of the most famous clashes in jumps racing history when Monksfield rode to a famous victory over Sea Pigeon in the Champion Hurdle.[2]
As a trainer
Hughes had always planned to train and having prepared for three years, he took out his training licence in 1980.
That same year, 1982, he sent out Miller Hill to win the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.[2]
Other notable wins in the 1980s included Chow Mein in the 1985 Galway Plate, William Crump in the 1986 Huzzar Handicap Hurdle, Ryan Merrifield in 1987, and Ballychorus Dream in the 1988 Drinmore Novice Chase.[2]
For a long time around the turn of the decade, a persistent bug plagued the yard and success was hard to come by.
Major success returned with
Hughes' most famous recruit,
Bought at the same sale as Hardy Eustace for a similar sum, Central House was almost as successful, winning five Grade 2 contests, one Grade 1 and being placed in seven other Graded chases, accumulating just over €515,000 in prize money during his career.[2]
Other Graded race winners have included Schindlers Hunt, Grangeclare Lark and Grand National performers Rare Bob, Black Apalachi and Vic Venturi.
Former apprentice of Hughes', Pat Dobbs spoke highly of his time with the yard. “Dessie did more work around the yard than most of us lads. He was first out every morning and used to muck out just across from me, telling me to hurry up when I was too slow. He was a great horseman and paid attention to every detail.”[3]
Principal jockeys
- Bryan Cooper
- Roger Loughran
- Ian McCarthy
- Mark Enright
- Pat Dobbs
Major wins
As a jockey
- Aintree Hurdle – (3) – Monksfield (1977 (dead heat), 1978, 1979)
- Arkle Chase – Tip the Wink (1977)Chinrullah (1979)
- Champion Chase – Chinrullah (1980) (subsequently disqualified)
- Champion Hurdle – Monksfield (1979)
- Cheltenham Gold Cup – Davy Lad (1977)
- (1976)
- Supreme Novices' Hurdle – Mac's Chariot (1977)
- Stayers' Hurdle – Bit Of A Jig(1976)
As a trainer
- Champion Hurdle – (2) – Hardy Eustace (2004, 2005)
- Sun Alliance Hurdle – Hardy Eustace(2003)
- Supreme Novices' Hurdle – Miller Hill (1982)
- Triumph Hurdle – Our Conor (2013)
- Arkle Novice Chase – (2) Light The Wad (1981) Schindler's Hunt (2007)
- Irish Champion Hurdle – Hardy Eustace (2007)
- Racing Post Novice Chase – (2) – Central House (2002), Schindler's Hunt (2006)
- Irish Grand National – Timbera (2003)
- Spring Juvenile Hurdle -(3) – Mutineer (2003), Our Conor (2013), Guitar Pete (2014)
- Growise Champion Novice Chase – Rare Bob(2009)
- Punchestown Champion Hurdle – Hardy Eustace (2004)
- Morgiana Hurdle – Hardy Eustace (2008)
- Royal Bond Novice Hurdle -Hardy Eustace (2002)
References
- ^ a b "Dessie Hughes | Donn McClean Racing". donnmcclean.com. 29 March 2009. Archived from the original on 10 June 2018. Retrieved 18 March 2018.
- ^ a b c d e f "Trainer Profiles: Dessie Hughes". Horse Racing Ireland. December 2011. Archived from the original on 17 April 2013. Retrieved 11 April 2013.
- ^ Lee, Alan (31 July 2015). "Pat Dobbs looking to make the most of new opportunities". The Times. Archived from the original on 26 October 2017. Retrieved 25 October 2017.