Brian Hughes set to be crowned champion jumps jockey for second time in his career; Hughes (200) is 96 clear of nearest rival Sam Twiston-Davies ahead of Saturday's season finale at Sandown; Hughes rides 102nd winner for Donald McCain this season
Wednesday 20 April 2022 16:01, UK
Brian Hughes has joined an elite club after riding his 200th winner of the season with victory on Dreams Of Home at Perth on Wednesday.
The champion jockey elect, who is 96 winners clear of nearest rival Sam Twiston-Davies ahead of Saturday's season finale at Sandown, becomes just the fourth rider to reach the landmark after Peter Scudamore, AP McCoy and Richard Johnson.
In February this year, Hughes surpassed his previous best total for winners in a single season (146) after a four-timer at Carlisle.
Hughes arrived in Scotland with a book of five rides and just one success required to hit the double century.
Neither Lafitte or Uncle Alastair could get him over the line in the first two contests, but 6/4 favourite Dreams Of Home - Hughes' 102nd winner this season for trainer Donald McCain - was victorious in the Bob Nelson Capercaillie Handicap Chase.
Moving quickly to the lead, Hughes had most of his rivals on the stretch early in the home straight and had just enough in the tank to hold Coach Carter at bay by half a length.
Hughes' current total is the 11th highest of all time, with McCoy holding eight of the top 10 winning totals including his record of 289 winners in the 2001/02 campaign.
Hughes missed the chance to be publicly crowned champion two years ago due to the coronavirus pandemic but will head to Sandown this weekend to receive his trophy.
Johnson and Scudamore led the tributes to Hughes, who is likely to be joined at Sandown by his family including wife Luci and children Rory and Olivia.
"He is getting his just rewards from many years of hard work," said Johnson. "Actually, it will be lovely for him at Sandown, with all the crowds back, to be crowned champion jockey properly.
"Unfortunately, two years ago, with the lockdown, he wasn't able to have that. For me, that was one of the highlights of the year, when you could go there with your family and friends and you'd almost enjoy the hard work of the last 12 months.
"You always want to ride as many winners as possible. Sometimes, when you are flat out every day, working hard, if you are not riding the big winners on a Saturday it gets missed.
"But saying that, I don't think it will worry Brian. He is having a fantastic season and both he and Don McCain are a real force, and I'm sure they will go from strength to strength.
"Brian gets on with everyone and it is as easy for him to go to Ayr on a Monday as it is to go to Haydock on a Saturday - I think it is very important for a champion to work hard all year round, and that is exactly what Brian does.
"You need to have a good, consistent season to reach that number. It gave me a huge boost when I was able to do it."
Scudamore was the first to reach the 200 mark, recording a total of 221 winners from just 662 rides in 1988/89 when the season was 10 months long, rather than 12 as it is now, having had the backing of the incomparable Martin Pipe.
The eight-time champion believes it is harder for a northern-based rider to win the title, much less ride a double century of winners.
Scudamore said: "I had the opportunity to do it and stay fit. It is amazingly tough and Brian has my utmost admiration.
"It is hard for a northern-based jockey, although Jonjo (O'Neill), Ron Barry, Tony Dobbin and Graham Lee have done it successfully at that level, so you have to take your hat off to them.
"There are not too many who have achieved 200 winners, and it is an amazing achievement.
"The only thing I remember when I was riding, on a selfish, personal note, when I first started people would have been immensely happy with 100 winners, so we never thought it was achievable.
"I would say it, wouldn't I, but it is quite a big achievement. It is relentless, it is a grind, it is the consistency. I just hope Brian gets the accolades he deserves.
"He has been around a long time, and I have had a huge admiration for what he has done."
