Brian Hughes first to 100 wins as he eyes second Champion Jockey title

Features | 7^th February 2021

Reigning Champion Jump Jockey Brian Hughes brought up a century of winners in the 2020/21 Championship with the Donald McCain-trained Bareback Jack at Musselburgh this afternoon.

Brian Hughes, who is based in Cleveland, becomes the first jockey to reach the landmark as he aims to be crowned champion for the second successive year when the season concludes at the bet365 Jump Finale at Sandown Park on Saturday 24^th April.

On reaching 100 wins, Hughes said: “Reaching 100 winners is always the first main target for the season. Unfortunately, it’s taken slightly longer than I would have hoped due to racing being abandoned etc, but it’s great to finally reach that target.”

“I now hope to push on and keep riding as many winners as I can.”

Amongst his century of winners, the 35-year-old enjoyed a tremendous victory with Lake View Lad in the Grade 2 Many Clouds Chase at Aintree on Saturday 5^th December.

Lake View Lad get's the better of a very competitive field in the hands of Champion jockey Brian Hughes 👏

A memorable victory in the colours of the great champion Many Clouds in the Grade 2 Many Clouds Chase ☁️☁️pic.twitter.com/o0kHI1OwQO
— Great British Racing (@GBRacing) December 5, 2020

As well as notching four trebles amongst the 100, Hughes also claimed a four-timer at Bangor-On-Dee on Wednesday 29^th July.

Three of those four victories came for Donald McCain, who is Hughes’ most successful trainer partnership – the win with Bareback Jack marking their 34^th success together this season.

McCain said: “We take a lot of pride in having Brian, the current Champion Jump Jockey, as our stable jockey, so I’m delighted to see him reach 100 winners for the season. In any season, riding 100 winners is a massive achievement.”

“We are all behind him in his quest to become Champion Jockey again this year. It will be fully deserved, great for northern racing, and will cement his place as the top Jump Jockey at the moment.”

Hughes continued: “The Championship is of course the main aim. Winning it last year has made me even hungrier and determined to win it again and retain my title. I will keep trying my hardest to hopefully become Champion Jockey once again come the end of the season.”

Hughes now sits 16 wins ahead of second placed Harry Cobden (84) and a further four victories ahead of Harry Skelton (80) in third position.

Jump Jockeys' Championship table

Flat Jockeys

Jump Jockeys

Annual Flat Jockeys

Hughes reaches the century from 585 rides, performing at a strike rate of 17%. The 100^th winner this afternoon was his 14^th victory at Musselburgh – the track he has recorded the most wins at so far this season.