Hughes set for Rankings joy on Champions Day

Richard Hughes riding Sky Lantern to success at Newmarket. Image copyright of Racingfotos.com

Champion Jockey Richard Hughes has secured his spot as the leader in the British Champions Series Jockey Rankings going into British Champions Day on the 19 October.

After Montiridge’s second-place finish in the Group 2 Nayef Joel Stakes, Hughes gained a vital 10 points to take sole lead of the Series championship ahead of his nearest rival Joseph O’Brien.

Richard Hannon’s stable jockey sits on a mark of 110 for his efforts in British Champions Series races this campaign, while O’Brien only just trails on 100.

Most notably, Hughes has had great success on board QIPCO 1,000 Guineas and Coronation Stakes winner Sky Lantern, as well as the Duel on the Downs victor, Toronado.

The Irish rider will be hoping to guide the world’s highest-rated three-year-old in training to further success at the Flat season finale in less than three weeks’ time.

Top jockeys William Buick and Ryan Moore take the third and fourth spots, respectively, despite both being on a mark of 90 (Buick has ridden more seconds), while the in-form Johnny Murtagh is narrowly behind them on 85 points.

Meanwhile, in the Trainer Rankings, Aidan O’Brien looks likely to retain his crown as the masterful Ballydoyle handler lies 40 points ahead of his nearest rival, Richard Hannon.

O’Brien, who has trained Ruler of the World and Leading Light to Classic success this season, is on 135 points in the Series. Hannon occupies second on a mark of 95, while John Gosden is third on 80.

The final opportunity for jockeys and trainers to pick up valuable points in the Series Rankings is on British Champions Day on the 19 October at Ascot. To make sure you do not miss out on tickets, you can buy them via Ascot’s racecourse website.