Richard Hughes can ‘retire a happy man’ after Goodwood win

Richard Hughes can "retire a happy man" after opening his account at this year's Glorious Goodwood on Gibeon in the Land Rover Stakes.

The champion jockey bows out on Saturday to begin a training career and after a couple of frustrating near-misses on the first two days of the meeting, he looked destined to go without at his favourite track.

Sent off 11-1, Gibeon, trained by Hughes's brother-in-law Richard Hannon, just held off the fast finish of Frankie Dettori on 4-1 favourite Keble by a neck.

All the jockeys were wearing black armbands as a tribute to Peter O’Sullevan, who passed away on Wednesday.

“I’m glad I’ve got one, I can retire a happy man now,” said Hughes. “It’s been a bit frustrating the first couple of days, but I can relax now.”

Hannon said: “It’s great for Hughesie to get one and the horse travelled really well, he always does.”

Hannon’s father, Richard snr, said: “When we’ll miss him is on a morning, he could tell straight away if he was sat on a nice one so I’m sure he’ll make a go of training.

“I might send him one or two, I’m quite a good owner!”

Shalaa impressed as he powered home under a penalty in the Group Two Qatar Richmond Stakes.

John Gosden’s runner was sent off the 11-8 favourite for the six-furlong event after landing the July Stakes at Newmarket on his last run, a victory which earned him an extra 3lb burden.

However, Shalaa made light work of that as he breezed along in the hands of Dettori before being given the signal to push on with a furlong to run.

Shalaa’s response was swift and he soon pulled clear of the chasing Tasleet, eventually passing the post with two and three-quarter lengths to spare.

Dettori said: “That was good. He has lots of speed, a good head on him and he quickens up, what more do you want?

“I’m happy to take the lead as there’s nothing fast enough to lead him so I had to make my own way home.

“He’s getting better as he was a bit hot but he’s enjoying it now.

“I would say something like the Prix Morny on good ground would be next.”

Gosden also identified the Morny as a likely target, with next year’s Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot already on the radar.

He said: “He had so much speed. I think the fact Frankie has travelled for so long is quite an achievement.

“He’s beaten them three lengths giving 3lb. The Morny will be next and then the Middle Park. He’s fast, I’m not going to take him to seven furlongs. Next year, the Commonwealth Cup. He’s a similar looking horse to (Gosden’s former champion sprinter Oasis Dream).

“I don’t see him as a miler, I see him staying at six. He enjoys sprinting, so let him sprint.”