Champion jockey Richard Hughes has announced that he will retire from riding at the end of the new season and switch his focus to training.
The 42-year-old, who has won the British Flat championship three times in his career, has admitted that he came to the career-changing decision despite being physically fit to continue.
Hughes told the Racing Post: "I feel physically like I could ride for another five years. My weight is fine and my hunger is as strong as ever. I still have a huge desire to ride as many winners as I can but I know I can't ride forever. However, I know I can train nearly forever and I want my children to grow up in a training yard in the same way I did."
Trainer Richard Hannon, who is Hughes's brother-in-law, wrote on his official website: "Hughesie will be going all out to ride as many winners for this season, but he is very excited about his new venture and we wish him all the best."
Hughes will be based in Stockton, Hampshire at Ken Cunningham-Brown's yard.
