Three-time champion jockey Richard Hughes to retire at the end of 2015

Jockey Richard Hughes has announced that he's to retire at the end of the 2015 season, and is set to follow in the footsteps of his late father.

42-year-old Hughes has won flat racing's Champion Jockey title three years in a row, with the highlight being the 1000 Guineas win on Sky Lantern in Newmarket in 2013. The son of the late National Hunt trainer Dessie who passed away last November, Richard is set to follow in his father's footsteps by embarking on a career as a trainer in the 2016 season. Trainer Richard Hannon, who Hughes races for regularly said: "Training is something that Hughesie has always wanted to do, and he has been in Newmarket this week doing his modules. "He feels that this is the right time for him to switch, and we look forward to being rivals on the track next year and also at the bloodstock sales in the autumn. "Hughesie will be going all out to ride as many winners for us this season, but he is very excited about his new venture and we wish him all the best."